1 wordlist

acclimate :: adjust to climate or

environment; adapt

adulterate :: make impure by adding

inferior or tainted substances

acclivity :: sharp up slope of a hill

advent :: arrival

accolade :: award of merit

adventitious :: accidental; casual

abbreviate :: shorten

accommodate :: oblige or help someone;

adjust or bring into harmony; adapt

adversary :: opponent; enemy

abdicate :: renounce, give up

accomplice :: partner in crime

aberrant :: abnormal or deviant

accord :: agreement

aberration :: deviation from the expected

or the normal; mental irregularity or
disorder

accost :: approach and speak first to a

person

abase :: lower; degrade; humiliate

abash :: embarrass
abate :: subside or moderate

abet :: assist, usually in doing something

wrong; encourage

accoutre :: equip
accretion :: growth; increase

abeyance :: suspended action

accrue :: come about by addition

abhor :: detest; hate

acerbity :: bitterness of speech and

temper

abject :: wretched; lacking pride

abjure :: renounce upon oath
ablution :: washing
abnegation :: renunciation; self-sacrifice
abolish :: cancel; put an end to
abominable :: detestable; extremely
unpleasant; very bad
abominate :: loathe; hate
aboriginal :: being the first of its kind in a
region; primitive; native

acetic :: vinegary
acidulous :: slightly sour; sharp; caustic
acknowledge :: recognize; admit

adverse :: unfavorable; hostile

adversity :: poverty; misfortune
advert :: refer (to)
advocacy :: support; active pleading on
behalf of someone or something
advocate :: urge; plead for
aegis :: shield; defense
aerie :: nest of a large bird of prey (eagle,
hawk)
aesthetic :: artistic; dealing with or
capable of appreciating the beautiful
affable :: easily approachable; warmly
friendly

acme :: peak; pinnacle; highest point

affected :: artificial; pretended; assumed

in order to impress

acoustics :: science of sound; quality that

makes a room easy or hard to hear in

affidavit :: written statement made under

oath

acquiesce :: assent; agree passively

affiliation :: joining; associating with

acquittal :: deliverance from a charge

affinity :: kinship

acrid :: sharp; bitterly pungent

abortive :: unsuccessful; fruitless

acrimonious :: bitter in words or manner

affirmation :: positive assertion;

confirmation solemn pledge by one who
refuses to take an oath

abrasive :: rubbing away; tending to grind

down

acrophobia :: fear of heights

affix :: attach or add on: fasten

abridge :: condense or shorten

actuarial :: calculating; pertaining to

insurance statistics

affliction :: state of distress; cause of

suffering

abrogate :: abolish

actuate :: motivate

affluence :: abundance; wealth

abscission :: cutting off; separation

acuity :: sharpness

abscond :: depart secretly and hide

acumen :: mental keenness

affront :: insult; offense; intentional act of

disrespect

absolute :: complete; totally unlimited;

certain

acute :: quickly perceptive; keen; brief

and severe

absolve :: pardon (an offense)

adage :: wise saying; proverb

agglomeration :: collection; heap

abstain :: refrain; withhold from

participation

adamant :: hard; inflexible

aggrandize :: increase or intensify; raise in

power, wealth, rank or honor

abstemious :: sparing in eating and

drinking; temperate
abstinence :: restraint from eating or
drinking
abstract :: theoretical; not concrete;
nonrepresentational
abstruse :: obscure; profound; difficult to
understand
abusive :: coarsely insulting; physically
harmful
abut :: border upon; adjoin
abysmal :: bottomless
abyss :: enormous chasm; vast,
bottomless pit

adapt :: alter; modify

addendum :: addition; appendix to book
addiction :: compulsive, habitual need
addle :: muddle; drive crazy; *become
rotten : said of an egg*

aghast :: horrified; dumbfounded

agility :: nimbleness, dexterity

agnostic :: one who is skeptical of the

existence of a god or any ultimate reality

adhere :: stick fast

agog :: highly excited; intensely curious

adherent :: supporter; follower

agrarian :: pertaining to land and

cultivation

adjacent :: adjoining; neighboring; close

by
adjunct :: something (generally
nonessential or inferior) added or attached

adjutant :: staff officer assisting the

commander; assistant

acclaim :: applaud; announce with great

approval

aggressor :: attacker

adept :: expert at

accede :: agree

accessory :: additional object; useful by

not essential thing

aggregate :: gather; accumulate

agitate :: stir up; disturb

adjuration :: solemn urging

accessible :: easy to approach; obtainable

agenda :: items of business at a meeting

address :: direct a speech to; deal with or

discuss

academic :: related to a school; *not

practical or directly useful*

accelerate :: move faster

agape :: openmouthed

alacrity :: cheerful promptness; eagerness

alchemy :: medieval chemistry
alcove :: nock (corner); recess
alias :: an assumed name
alienate :: make hostile; separate

admonish :: warn; reprove

alimentary :: supplying nourishment

adorn :: decorate

alimony :: payments made to an exspouse after divorce

adroit :: skillful

2 wordlist
adulation :: flattery; admiration

allay :: calm; pacify

allege :: state without proof
allegiance :: loyalty

allegory :: story in which characters are

used as symbols; fable
alleviate :: relieve; lessen
alliteration :: repetition of beginning sound
in poetry
allocate :: assign
alloy :: (n)a mixture of metals (v) mix;
make less pure; lessen or moderate
allude :: refer indirectly
allure :: entice; attract
allusion :: indirect reference
alluvial :: pertaining to soil deposits left by
running water
aloft :: upward
aloof :: apart; reserved

amputate :: cut off part of body; prune

amulet :: charm; talisman
anachronism :: something or someone
misplaced in time
analgesic :: causing insensitivity to pain
analogous :: comparable

antiquated :: obsolete; outdated

anarchist :: person who seeks to overturn

the established government; advocate of
abolishing authority

antithesis :: contrast; direct opposite of or

to

anathema :: solemn curse; someone or

something regarded as a curse
ancestry :: family descent
anchor :: secure or fasten firmly; be fixed
in place

altruistic :: unselfishly generous;

concerned for others

anecdote :: short account of an amusing

or interesting event

amalgamate :: combine; unite in one body

anemia :: condition in which blood lacks

red corpuscles

ambidextrous :: capable of using either

hand with equal ease

antipathy :: aversion; dislike

antiseptic :: substance that prevents

infection

ancillary :: serving as an aid or accessory;

auxiliary

amazon :: female warrior

antidote :: remedy to counteract a poison

or disease

analogy :: similarity; parallelism

altercation :: noisy quarrel; heated dispute

amass :: collect

anticlimax :: letdown in thought or

emotion

anesthetic :: substance that removes

sensation with or without loss of
consciousness

anvil :: iron block used in hammering out

metals
apathy :: lack of caring; indifference
ape :: imitate or mimic
aperture :: opening; hole
apex :: tip; summit; climax
aphasia :: loss of speech due to injury or
illness
aphorism :: pithy maxim or saying
apiary :: a place where bees are kept
aplomb :: self-possession; assurance;
poise

anguish :: acute pain; extreme suffering

apocalyptic :: prophetic; pertaining to

revelations

ambience :: environment; atmosphere

angular :: sharp-cornered; stiff in manner

apocryphal :: untrue; made up

ambiguous :: unclear or doubtful in

meaning

animadversion :: critical remark

apogee :: highest point

animated :: lively; spirited

apolitical :: having an aversion or lack of

concern for political affairs

ambivalence :: the state of having

contradictory or conflicting emotional
attitudes
amble :: moving at an easy pace
ambrosia :: food of the gods

animosity :: active enmity

animus :: hostile feeling or intent
annals :: records; history

apologist :: one who writes in defense of a

cause or institution
apostate :: one who abandons his religious
faith or political beliefs

ambulatory :: able to walk; not bedridden

anneal :: reduce brittleness and improve

toughness by heating and cooling

ameliorate :: improve

annex :: attach; *take possession of*

amenable :: readily managed or willing to

be led; answerable or accountable legally

annihilate :: destroy

apothegm :: pithy, compact saying

annotate :: comment; make explanatory

notes

apotheosis :: elevation to godhood; an

ideal example of something

annuity :: yearly allowance

appall :: dismay; shock

annul :: make void; cancel

apparition :: ghost; phantom

anodyne :: drug that relieves pain; opiate

appease :: pacify or soothe; relieve

amiable :: agreeable; lovable; warmly

friendly

anoint :: apply ointment or oil esp as

religious ceremony; consecrate

appellation :: name; title

amicable :: politely friendly; not

quarrelsome

anomalous :: abnormal; irregular

amend :: correct; change, generally for

the better

3 wordlist
amenities :: convenient features;
courtesies

amiss :: wrong; faulty

anomaly :: irregularity

amity :: friendship

anonymity :: state of being nameless;

anonymousness

amnesia :: loss of memory

antagonism :: hostility; active resistance

amnesty :: pardon

antecede :: precede

amok (also amuck) :: in a state of rage

antecedents :: preceding events or

circumstances that influence what comes
later; ancestors or early background

amoral :: nonmoral
amorous :: moved by sexual love; loving
amorphous :: formless; lacking shape or
definition

antediluvian :: antiquated; extremely

ancient

apothecary :: druggist

4 wordlist

append :: attach
application :: diligent attention
apposite :: appropriate; fitting
appraise :: estimate value of
appreciate :: be thankful for; increase in
worth; be thoroughly concious about
apprehend :: 1) arrest (a criminal); 2)
dread (<- to anticipate with anxiety) ; 3)
perceive
apprehensive :: 1) fearful; 2) *discerning*
apprise :: inform

anthem :: song of praise or patriotism

approbation :: approval

amphibian :: able to live both on land and

in water

anthology :: book of literary selections by

various authors

appropriate :: acquire; take possession of

for one's own use

amphitheater :: oval building with tiers of

seats

anthropoid :: manlike

appurtenances :: subordinate possessions

ample :: abundant

anthropologist :: student of the history

and science of humankind

apropos (prep) :: with reference to;

regarding 2) at the right time

amplify :: broaden or clarify by expanding;

intensify; make stronger

anthropomorphic :: having human form or

characteristics

aptitude :: fitness; talent

aquiline :: curved, hooked

arable :: fit for growing crops

aspire :: seek to attain; long for

authenticate :: prove genuine

arbiter :: person with power to decide a

matter in dispute; judge

assail :: assault

authoritarian :: subordinating the

individual to the state; completely
dominating another's will

arbitrary :: unreasonable or capricious;

tyrannical
arbitrate :: act as judge
arboretum :: place where different
varieties of trees and shrubs are studied
and exhibited
arcade :: a covered passageway, usually
lined with shops
arcane :: secret; mysterious; known only
to the initiated
archaeology :: study of artifacts and relics
of early mankind
archaic :: antiquated
archetype :: prototype; primitive pattern
archipelago :: group of closely located
islands
archives :: public records; place where
public records are kept
ardor :: heat; passion; zeal
arduous :: hard; strenuous
argot :: slang
aria :: operatic solo
arid :: dry; barren
aristocracy :: hereditary nobility;
privileged class

assay :: analyze; evaluate

assent :: agree; accept
assert :: state strongly or positively; insist
on or demand recognition of (rights,
claims, etc.)
assessment :: estimation; appraisal
assiduous :: diligent
assimilate :: absorb; cause to become
homogenous
assuage :: ease or lessen (pain); satisfy
(hunger); soothe (anger)
assumption :: something taken for
granted; *the taking over or taking
possession of*

arrogance :: pride; haughtiness

arroyo :: a dry gully; a rivulet or stream
arsenal :: storage place for military
equipment
articulate :: effective; distinct
artifact :: object made by human beings,
either handmade or mass-produced

autopsy :: examination of a dead body;

postmortem
auxiliary :: offering or providing help;
additional or subsidiary
avalanche :: great mass of falling snow
and ice

avenge :: take vengeance for something

(or on behalf of someone)

astigmatism :: eye defect that prevents

proper focus

aver :: state confidently

5 wordlist
astral :: relating to the stars
astringent :: binding; causing contraction;
harsh or severe
astronomical :: enormously large or
extensive
astute :: wise; shrewd; keen

asylum :: place of refuge or shelter;

protection

arrhythmic :: lacking rhythm or regularity

autonomous :: self-governing

asteroid :: small planet

aromatic :: fragrant

arrears :: being in debt

automaton :: mechanism that imitates

actions of humans

avarice :: greediness for wealth

asunder :: into parts; apart

array :: 1) marshal; draw up in order 2)

*clothe; adorn*

autocratic :: having absolute, unchecked

power; dictatorial

assurance :: promise or pledge; certainty;

self-confidence

armada :: fleet of warships

arraign :: charge in court; indict

authoritative :: having the weight of

authority; peremptory and dictatorial

asymmetric :: not identical on both sides

of a dividing central line

averse :: reluctant; disinclined

aversion :: firm dislike
avert :: prevent; turn away
aviary :: enclosure for birds
avid :: greedy; eager for
avow :: declare openly
avuncular :: like an uncle
awe :: solemn wonder
awl :: pointed tool used for piercing
awry :: distorted; crooked

axiom :: self-evident truth requiring no

proof
atavism :: resemblance to remote
ancestors rather than to parents; reversion
azure :: sky blue
to an earlier type; throwback
atheistic :: denying the existence of God
atone :: make amends for; pay for
atrocity :: brutal dead
atrophy :: wasting away
attentive :: alert and watchful;
considerate; thoughtful
attenuate :: make thin; weaken

babble :: chatter idly

bacchanalian :: drunken
badger :: pester; annoy
badinage :: teasing conversation
baffle :: frustrate; perplex
bait :: harass; tease
baleful :: deadly; having a malign
influence; ominous

artifice :: deception; trickery

attest :: testify; bear witness

artisan :: a manually skilled worker

attribute :: essential quality

artless :: without guile; open and honest

ascertain :: find out for certain

attrition :: gradual decrease in numbers;

reduction in the work force without firing
employees; wearing away of opposition by
means of harassment

ascetic :: practicing self-denial; austere

atypical :: not normal

balmy :: mild; fragrant

ascribe :: refer; attribute; assign

audacious :: daring; bold

aseptic :: preventing infection; having a

cleansing effect

audit :: examination of accounts

banal :: hackneyed; commonplace; trite;

lacking originality

ascendancy :: controlling influence

ashen :: ash-colored; deadly pale

asinine :: stupid
askance :: with a sideways or indirect look
askew :: crookedly; slanted; at an angle
asperity :: sharpness (of temper)
aspersion :: slanderous remark
aspirant :: seeker after position or status

augment :: increase; add to

augury :: omen; prophecy
august :: impressive; majestic
aureole :: sun's corona; halo
auroral :: pertaining to the aurora borealis

balk :: 1) stop short, as if faced with an

obstacle, and refuse to continue 2) foil
ballast :: heavy substance used to add
stability or weight
balm :: something that relieves pain

bandy :: discuss lightly or glibly; exchange

(words) heatedly
bane :: cause of ruin; curse
bantering :: good-naturedly ridiculing
barb :: sharp projection from fishhook or
other object; openly cutting remark

6 wordlist

auspicious :: favoring success

austere :: forbiddingly stern; severely
simple and unornamented

bard :: poet
barefaced :: shameless; bold; unconcealed

baroque :: highly ornate

besmirch :: soil, defile

barrage :: barrier laid down by artillery

fire; overwhelming profusion

bestial :: beastlike; brutal; inhuman

barrister :: counselor-at-law
barterer :: trader
bask :: luxuriate; take pleasure in warmth
bastion :: stronghold; something seen as a
source of protection

bestow :: confer; to give, grant

bombastic :: pompous; using inflated

language
boon :: blessing; benefit

betoken :: signify; indicate

boorish :: rude; insensitive; awkward; illmannered

betray :: be unfaithful; reveal

(unconsciously or unwillingly)

bouillon :: clear beef soup

betroth :: become engaged to marry

bountiful :: abundant; graciously generous

bevy :: large group

bourgeois :: middle class; selfishly

materialistic; dully conventional

bauble :: trinket; trifle

bicameral :: two-chambered, as a
legislative body

bovine :: cowlike; placid and dull

bawdy :: indecent; obscene

bicker :: quarrel

beatific :: giving bliss; blissful

biennial :: every two years

beatitude :: blessedness; state of bliss

bifurcated :: divided into two branches;

forked

bate :: let down; restrain

bedizen :: dress with vulgar finery

bowdlerize :: expurgate
boycott :: refrain from buying or using
brackish :: somewhat saline
braggadocio :: boasting

bigotry :: stubborn intolerance

braggart :: boaster

beeline :: direct, quick route

bilious :: suffering from indigestion;

irritable

befuddle :: confuse thoroughly

bilk :: swindle; cheat

brandish :: wave around; flourish (<[here] to make showy, wavy motions, as

of the arms)

beget :: father; produce; give rise to

billowing :: swelling out in waves; surging

bravado :: swagger; assumed air of

defiance

begrudge :: resent

bivouac :: temporary encampment

brawn :: muscular strength; sturdiness

beguile :: mislead or delude; cheat; pass

time

bizarre :: fantastic; violently contrasting

brazen :: insolent; shameless

blanch :: bleach; whiten

breach :: breaking of contract or duty;

fissure or gap

bedraggle :: wet thoroughly

behemoth :: huge creature; something of

monstrous size or power

bland :: soothing or mild; agreeable

beholden :: obligated; indebted

blandishment :: flattery

behoove :: be suited to; be incumbent

upon

blare :: loud, harsh roar or screech;

dazzling blaze of light

belabor :: explain or go over excessively

or to a ridiculous degree; assail verbally

blas :: bored with pleasure or dissipation

belated :: delayed
beleaguer :: besiege or attack; harass
belie :: contradict; give a false impression
belittle :: disparage; depreciate
bellicose :: warlike
belligerent :: quarrelsome
bemoan :: 1. lament; 2. express
disapproval of
bemused :: confused; lost in thought;
preoccupied

blasphemy :: irreverence; sacrilege;

cursing
blatant :: extremely obvious; loudly
offensive
bleak :: cold or cheerless; unlikely to be
favorable
blighted :: suffering from a disease;
destroyed
blithe :: gay; joyous
bloated :: swollen or puffed as with water
or air

breadth :: width; extent

brevity :: conciseness
brindled :: tawny or grayish with streaks
or spots
bristling :: rising like bristles; showing
irritation
broach :: introduce; open up
brocade :: rich, figured fabric
brochure :: pamphlet
brooch :: ornamental clasp
brook :: tolerate; endure 2) a small
stream
browbeat :: bully; intimidate
browse :: graze; skim or glance at casually

blowhard :: talkative boaster

brunt :: main impact or shock

benediction :: blessing

bludgeon :: club; heavy-headed weapon

brusque :: blunt; abrupt

benefactor :: gift giver; patron

bluff :: 1) (adj) rough but good-natured 2)

pretense (of strength); deception; *high
cliff*

buccaneer :: a pirate, or sea robber

beneficent :: kindly; doing good

benevolent :: generous; charitable
benign :: kindly; favorable; not malignant
benison :: blessing
bent :: determined; natural talent or
inclination
bequeath :: leave to someone by means of
a will; hand down
berate :: scold strongly
bereavement :: state of being deprived of
something valuable or beloved
bereft :: deprived of; lacking
berserk :: frenzied
beseech :: beg; plead with
beset :: harass or trouble; to surround or
hem in
besiege :: surround with armed forces;
harass (with requests)

7 wordlist
blunder :: error
blurt :: utter impulsively
bluster :: blow in heavy gusts; threaten
emptily; bully
bode :: foreshadow; portend
bogus :: counterfeit; not authentic
bohemian :: unconventional (in an artistic
way)

bucolic :: rustic; pastoral

buffet (n) :: table with food set out for
people to serve themselves; meal at which
people help themselves to food that's been
set out.
buffet (v) :: slap; batter; knock about
buffoonery :: clowning
bugaboo :: bugbear; object of baseless
terror
bullion :: gold and silver in the form of
bars

boisterous :: violent; rough; noisy

bulwark :: earthwork or other strong

defense; person who defends

bolster :: support; reinforce

bungle :: mismanage; blunder

bolt (n) :: door bar; fastening pin or

screw; length of fabric

buoyant :: able to float; *cheerful and

optimistic*

bolt (v) :: dash or dart off; fasten (a

door); *gobble down*

bureaucracy :: over regulated

administrative system marked by red tape

bombardment :: attack (as with missiles)

burgeon :: grow forth; send out buds

burlesque :: give an imitation that ridicules carapace :: shell covering the back (of a
turtle, crab, etc.)
burnish :: make shiny by rubbing; polish
carat :: unit of weight for precious stones;
buttress :: support; prop up
measure of fineness of gold
buxom :: full-bosomed; plump; jolly

carcinogenic :: causing cancer

cabal :: small group of persons secretly

united to promote their own interests

cardinal :: chief

censor :: overseer of morals; person who

eliminates inappropriate matter
censorious :: critical
censure :: blame; criticize
centaur :: mythical figure, half man and
half horse

cache :: hiding place

cardiologist :: doctor specializing in

ailments of the heart

cacophonous :: discordant; inharmonious

careen :: lurch; sway from side to side

cadaver :: corpse
cadaverous :: like a corpse; pale

caricature :: grotesque or ludicrously

exaggerated representation; distortion;
burlesque

cadence :: rhythmic rise and fall (of words

or sounds); beat

carillon :: a set of bells capable of being

played

cajole :: coax; wheedle

carnage :: destruction of life

centurion :: Roman army officer

calamity :: disaster; misery

carnal :: fleshy

calculated :: deliberately planned; likely

carnivorous :: meat-eating

cerebral :: pertaining to the brain or

intellect

caldron :: large kettle

carousal :: drunken revel

caliber :: ability; quality

carping :: petty criticism; fault-finding

calligraphy :: beautiful writing; excellent

penmanship

carrion :: rotting flesh of a dead body

callous :: hardened; unfeeling

callow :: youthful; immature;
inexperienced
calorific :: heat-producing

cartographer :: map-maker
cascade :: small waterfall
caste :: one of the hereditary classes in
Hindu Society, social stratification;
prestige

centigrade :: denoting a widely used

temperature scale (basically same as
Celsius)
centrifugal :: radiating; departing from the
center
centrifuge :: machine that separates
substances by whirling them
centripetal :: tending toward the center

cerebration :: thought
ceremonious :: marked by formality
certitude :: certainty
cessation :: stoppage
cession :: yielding to another; ceding
chafe :: warm by rubbing; make sore (by
rubbing)
chaff :: worthless product of endeavor

calumny :: malicious misrepresentation;

slander

castigation :: punishment; severe criticism

chaffing :: bantering; joking

camaraderie :: good-fellowship

casual :: implying a cause-and-effect

relationship

chagrin :: vexation (caused by humiliation

or injured pride); disappointment

cameo :: shell or jewel carved in relief;

star's special appearance in a minor role in
the film

casualty :: serious or fatal accident

chalice :: goblet; consecrated cup

cataclysm :: deluge; upheaval

camouflage :: disguise; conceal

catalyst :: agent that brings about a

chemical change while it remains
unaffected and unchanged.

chameleon :: lizard that changes color in

different situations

canard :: unfounded rumor; exaggerated

report
candor :: frankness; open honesty

catapult :: slingshot; hurling machine

9 wordlist
champion :: support militantly
chaotic :: in utter disorder

canine :: related to dogs; doglike

cataract :: great waterfall; eye

abnormality

canker :: *any ulcerous sore*; any evil

catastrophe :: calamity; disaster

canny :: shrewd; thrifty

catcall :: shout of disapproval; boo

charlatan :: quack; pretender to

knowledge

canon :: collection or authoritative list of

books (e.g., by an author, or accepted as
scripture); rule or standard set by
ecclesiastical author

catechism :: book for religious instruction;

instruction by question and answer

chary :: cautious; sparing or restrained

about giving

categorical :: without exceptions;

unqualified; absolute

chase :: ornament a metal surface by

indenting

catharsis :: purging or cleansing of any

passage of the body

chasm :: abyss

cantankerous :: ill-humored; irritable

cantata :: story set to music, to be sung
by a chorus

charisma :: divine gift; great popular

charm or appeal

cathartic :: purgative i.e. tending to purify

chassis :: framework and working parts of

an automobile

catholic :: universal; wide-ranging liberal

chaste :: pure; virginal; modest

canto :: division of a long poem

caucus :: private meeting of members of a

party to select officers or determine policy

chasten :: discipline; punish in order to

correct

canvass :: determine or seek opinions,

votes, etc.

caulk :: to make watertight (by plugging

seams)

chastise :: punish

capacious :: spacious

caustic :: burning; sarcastically biting

chauvinist :: blindly devoted patriot;

zealous adherent of a group or cause

capacity :: mental or physical ability; role;

ability to accommodate

cauterize :: burn with hot iron or caustic

check :: stop motion; curb or restrain

cavalcade :: procession; parade

checkered :: marked by changes in fortune

cavalier :: casual and offhand; arrogant

cherubic :: angelic; innocent-looking

cavil :: make frivolous objections

chicanery :: trickery; deception

capricious :: unpredictable; fickle

cede :: yield (title, territory) to; surrender

formally

chide :: scold

caption :: title; chapter heading; text

under illustration

celerity :: speed; rapidity

chimerical :: fantastically improbable;

highly unrealistic; imaginative

celestial :: heavenly

chisel :: wedge like tool for cutting

canter :: slow gallop

8 wordlist

capillary :: having a very fine bore

capitulate :: surrender
caprice :: whim

captious :: faultfinding
carafe :: glass water bottle; decanter

celibate :: abstaining from sexual

intercourse; unmarried

chisel (v) :: *swindle or cheat*; cut with a

chisel
chivalrous :: courteous; faithful; brave

coddle :: treat gently; pamper

compact (n) :: agreement; contract

codicil :: supplement to the body of a will

compatible :: harmonious; in harmony

with

choleric :: hot-tempered

codify :: to arrange (laws, rules, etc.)

systematically; classify

choreography :: art of representing dances

in written symbols; arrangement of dances

coercion :: use of force to get someone to

obey; government by force

chortle :: chuckle with delight

coeval :: living at the same time as;

contemporary

chronic :: long established, as a disease

cog :: tooth projecting from a wheel

chronicle :: report; record (in chronological
order)
cogent :: convincing
churlish :: boorish; rude

cogitate :: think over

ciliated :: having minute hairs

cognate :: related linguistically; allied by

blood; similar or akin in nature

cipher :: 1) *nonentity; worthless person

or thing* 2) secret code
circlet :: small ring; band
circuitous :: roundabout; indirect; devious
circumlocution :: indirect or roundabout
expression

cohabit :: live together

cohere :: stick together

circumvent :: outwit; baffle

coiffure :: hairstyle

cistern :: reservoir or water tank

coin :: make coins; invent or fabricate

citadel :: fortress
cite :: quote; commend

coincidence :: the chance occurrence, at

the same time, of two or more seemingly
connected events

civil :: having to do with citizens or the

state; courteous and polite

colander :: utensil with perforated bottom

used for straining

clangor :: loud, resounding noise

clapper :: striker (tongue) of a bell
clarion :: shrill, trumpet like sound
claustrophobia :: fear of being locked in
clavicle :: collarbone
cleave (n) cleavage (adj.) cloven :: split or
sever; cling to; remain faithful to
cleft :: split
clemency :: disposition to be lenient;
mildness, as of the weather
clich :: phrase dulled in meaning by
repetition

compile :: assemble; gather; accumulate

complacency :: self-satisfaction; smugness
complaisant :: trying to please; obliging

complementary :: serving to complete

something

cohorts :: armed band

clandestine :: secret

compilation :: listing of statistical

information in tabular or book form

cognizance :: knowledge

circumspect :: prudent; cautious

clamor :: noise

compensatory :: making up for; repaying

complement :: complete; consummate;

make perfect

cohesion :: tendency to keep together

clamber :: climb by crawling

compendium :: brief, comprehensive

summary

cognitive :: having to do with knowing or

perceiving related to mental processes

circumscribe :: limit; confine

clairvoyant :: having foresight;

fortuneteller

compelling :: overpowering; irresistible in

effect

10 wordlist
collaborate :: work together
collage :: work of art put together from
fragments
collate :: examine in order to verify
authenticity; arrange in order
collateral :: security given for a loan
collation :: a light meal
colloquial :: pertaining to conversational or
common speech; informal

compliance :: readiness to yield;

conformity in fulfilling requirement
compliant :: yielding; conforming to
requirements
complicity :: participation; involvement
component :: element; ingredient
comport :: bear one's self; behave
composure :: mental calmness
compound :: combine; constitute; pay
interest; increase
comprehensive :: thorough; inclusive
compress :: close; squeeze; contract
comprise :: include; consist of
compromise :: adjust or settle by making
mutual concessions; endanger the
interests or reputation of
compunction :: remorse
compute :: reckon; calculate
concatenate :: link as in a chain
concave :: hollow

colloquy :: informal discussion

concede :: admit; yield

collusion :: conspiring in a fraudulent

scheme

conceit :: vanity or self-love; whimsical

idea; extravagant metaphor

colossal :: huge

concentric :: having a common center

colossus :: gigantic statue

conception :: beginning; forming of an

idea

comatose :: in a coma; extremely sleepy

combustible :: easily burned

concerted :: mutually agreed on; done

together

clientele :: body of customers

comely :: attractive; agreeable

concession :: an act of yielding

climactic (n) climax :: relating to the

highest point

comestible :: something fit to be eaten

conciliatory :: reconciling; soothing

clime :: region; climate

comeuppance :: deserved punishment;

retribution

concise :: brief and compact

clique :: small, exclusive group

comity :: courtesy; civility

cloister :: monastery or convent

commandeer :: to draft for military

purposes; to take for public use

clout :: great influence (especially political

or social)
cloying (v) cloy :: distasteful (because
excessive); excessively sweet or
sentimental
coagulate :: thicken; congeal; clot

commemorative :: remembering; honoring

commensurate :: equal in extent
commiserate :: feel or express pity or
sympathy for

conclave :: private meeting

conclusive :: decisive; ending all debate
concoct :: prepare by combining; make up
in concert
concomitant :: that which accompanies
concord :: harmony
concur :: agree

commodious :: spacious and comfortable

concurrent :: happening at the same time

coalition :: partnership; league; union

communal :: held in common; of group of

people

condescend :: bestow courtesies with a

superior air

coda :: concluding section of a musical or

literary composition

compact (adj.) :: tightly packed; firm;

brief

condign :: adequate; deservedly severe

coalesce :: combine; fuse

condiments :: seasonings; spices

constituent :: *supporter*

condole :: express sympathetic sorrow

constraint :: compulsion; repression of

feelings

condone :: overlook; forgive; give tacit

approval; excuse

cornucopia :: horn overflowing with fruit

and grain; symbol of abundance
corollary :: consequence; accompaniment

construe :: explain; interpret

corporeal :: bodily; material

conducive :: helpful; contributive

consummate :: complete

corpulent :: very fat

conduit :: aqueduct passageway for fluids

contagion :: infection

correlation :: mutual relationship

confidant :: trusted friend

contaminate :: pollute

corroborate :: confirm; support

confine :: shut in; restrict

contempt :: scorn; disdain

corrode :: destroy by chemical action

confiscate :: seize; commandeer

contend :: struggle; compete; assert

earnestly

corrosive :: eating away by chemicals or

disease

contention :: claim; thesis

corrugated :: wrinkled; ridged

contentious :: quarrelsome

cosmic :: pertaining to the universe; vast

contest :: dispute

coterie :: group that meets socially select

circle

conflagration :: great fire

confluence :: flowing together; crowd
conformity :: harmony; agreement
confound :: confuse; puzzle
congeal :: freeze; coagulate

context :: writing preceding and following

the passage quoted

congenial :: pleasant; friendly; kindred [ -- contiguous :: adjacent to; touching upon

- tastes]
continence :: self-restraint; sexual chastity
congenital :: existing at birth
contingent :: dependent on; conditional

11 wordlist

conglomeration :: mass of material

sticking together
congruence :: correspondence or parts;
harmonious relationship
congruent :: in agreement; corresponding
conifer :: pine tree; cone-bearing tree
conjecture :: surmise; guess
conjugal :: pertaining to marriage
conjure :: summon a devil; practice
magic; imagine or invent
connivance :: pretense of ignorance of
something wrong; assistance; permission
to offend

contortions :: twistings; distortions

contraband :: illegal trade; smuggling;
smuggled goods
contravene :: contradict; oppose: infringe
on or transgress
contrite :: penitent
contrived :: forced; artificial; not
spontaneous
controvert :: oppose with arguments;
attempt to refute; contradict
contumacious :: disobedient; resisting
authority

countenance (n) :: face

countenance (v) :: approve; tolerate
counterfeit :: not genuine; imitation;
forged
countermand :: cancel; revoke

12 wordlist
counterpart :: a thing that completes
another; things very much alike
coup :: highly successful action or sudden
attack
couple :: join; unite
courier :: messenger
covenant :: agreement
covert :: secret; hidden; implied
covetous :: avaricious; eagerly desirous of

contusion :: bruise

cow :: terrorize; intimidate

conundrum :: riddle; difficult problem

cower :: shrink quivering, as from fear

convene :: assemble

coy :: shy; modest; coquettish

connotation :: suggested or implied

meaning of an expression

convention :: social or moral custom

established practice

cozen :: cheat; hoodwink; swindle

connubial :: pertaining to marriage or the

matrimonial state

conventional :: ordinary; typical

connoisseur :: person competent to act as

a judge of art, etc.; a lover of an art

crabbed :: sour; peevish

crass :: very unrefined; grossly insensible

consanguinity :: kinship

converge :: approach; tend to meet; come

together

craven :: cowardly

conscientious :: scrupulous; careful

conversant :: familiar with

credence :: belief

conscript :: draftee; person forced into

military service

converse :: opposite

credo :: creed; system of (esp. religious)

beliefs

consecrate :: dedicate; sanctify

convert :: one who has adopted a different

religion or opinion

consensus :: general agreement

convex :: curving outward

consequential :: following as result or

inference; *pompous; self-important*

conveyance :: vehicle; transfer

creed :: system of religious or ethical

belief

conviction :: judgment that someone is

guilty of a crime; strongly held belief

crescendo :: increase in the volume or

intensity, as in a musical passage; climax

convivial :: festive; gay; characterized by

joviality

crestfallen :: dejected; dispirited

conservatory :: school of the fine arts

(especially music or drama)
consign :: deliver officially; entrust; set
apart
consistency :: absence of contradictions;
dependability; uniformity; degree of
thickness

convoke :: call together

credulity :: belief on slight evidence;

gullibility; naivet

crevice :: crack; fissure

cringe :: shrink back, as if in fear

convoluted :: coiled around; involved;

intricate

criteria :: standards used in judging

copious :: plentiful

crone :: hag i.e. withered old woman

crotchety :: eccentric; whimsical

consolidation :: unification; process of

becoming firmer or stronger

coquette :: a girl or woman who merely

from vanity tries to get mens attention
and admiration; flirt

consonance :: harmony; agreement

cordial :: gracious; heartfelt

crypt :: vault, esp. one below church used

for burial-place

consort (n) :: husband or wife

cordon :: extended line of men or

fortifications to prevent access or egress

cryptic :: mysterious; hidden; secret

console :: lessen sadness or

disappointment; give comfort

consort (v) :: associate with

conspiracy :: treacherous plot

cornice :: projecting molding on building

(usually above columns)

crux :: essential or main point

cubicle :: small chamber used for sleeping

cuisine :: style of cooking

culinary :: relating to cooking

decoy :: lure or bait

cull :: pick out; reject

decrepitude :: state of collapse caused by

illness or old age

culmination :: attainment of highest point

culpable :: deserving blame

decry :: express strong disapproval of;

disparage

culvert :: artificial channel for water

deducible :: derived by reasoning

cumbersome :: heavy; hard to manage

deface :: mar; disfigure

cumulative :: growing by addition

defame :: harm someone's reputation;

malign; slander

cupidity :: greed
curator :: superintendent; manager

default :: failure to act

curmudgeon :: churlish, miserly individual

defeatist :: resigned to defeat; accepting

defeat as a natural outcome

cursive :: flowing, running

defection :: desertion

cursory :: casual; superficial; hastily done

defer :: give in respectfully; submit 2)

postpone

curtail :: shorten; reduce

cynical :: skeptical or distrustful of human
motives
cynosure :: object of general attention
dabble :: work at in a non-serious fashion;
splash around

demur :: object (because of doubts,

scruples); hesitate
demure :: grave; serious; coy
denigrate :: blacken
denizen :: inhabitant or resident; regular
visitor
denotation :: meaning; distinguishing by
name
denouement :: outcome; final
development of the plot of a play or other
literary work
denounce :: condemn; criticize
depict :: portray
deplete :: reduce; exhaust
deplore :: regret

deference :: courteous regard for

another's wish

deploy :: spread out [troops] in an

extended though shallow battle line

defiance :: refusal to yield; resistance

depose :: dethrone; remove from office

defile :: pollute; profane

deposition :: testimony under oath

definitive :: most reliable or complete

depravity :: extreme corruption;

wickedness

dais :: raised platform for guests of honor

deflect :: turn aside

dally :: to flirt; trifle with; procrastinate

defoliate :: destroy leaves

deprecate :: express disapproval of;

protest against; belittle

dank :: damp

defrock :: to strip a priest or minister of

church authority

depreciate :: lessen in value

dapper :: neat and trim

dappled :: spotted
daub :: smear (as with paint)
daunt :: intimidate; frighten

deft :: neat; skillful

defunct :: dead; no longer in use or
existence

depredation :: plundering
deranged :: insane
derelict :: abandoned; *negligent*

degenerate :: become wore; deteriorate

deride :: ridicule; make fun of

derision :: ridicule

dawdle :: loiter; waste time

degradation :: humiliation; debasement;

degeneration

deadlock :: standstill; stalemate

dehydrate :: remove water from; dry out

deadpan :: wooden; impassive

deify :: turn into a god; idolize

dearth :: scarcity

deign :: condescend; stoop

debacle :: sudden downfall; complete

disaster

delete :: erase; strike out

dauntless :: bold

debase :: reduce in quality or value; lower

in esteem; degrade
debauch :: corrupt; seduce from virtue
debilitate :: weaken; enfeeble
debonair :: friendly; aiming to please
debris :: rubble
debunk :: expose as false, exaggerated,
worthless, etc.; ridicule
debutante :: young woman making formal
entrance into society
decadence :: decay
decant :: pour off gently
decapitate :: behead
decelerate :: slow down

13 wordlist
deciduous :: falling off, as of leaves
decimate :: kill, usually one out of ten
decipher :: decode

14 wordlist
derogatory :: tending to lessen or impair;
detracting disparaging; belittling

deliberate :: consider; ponder

descry :: catch sight of

delineate :: portray; depict; sketch

desecrate :: profane; violate the sanctity

of

delirium :: mental disorder marked by

confusion

desiccate :: dry up

delta :: flat plain of mud or sand between

branches of a river

desolate (adj.) :: unpopulated;

depressing; deserted

delude :: deceive

desolate (v) :: rob of joy; lay waste to;

forsake

deluge :: flood; rush

delusion :: false belief; hallucination
delusive :: deceptive; raising vain hopes
delve :: dig; investigate
demagogue :: person who appeals to
people's prejudice; false leader
demean :: degrade; humiliate
demeanor :: behavior; bearing
demented :: insane
demise :: death
demographic :: related to population
balance

dcollet :: having a low-cut neckline

demolition :: destruction

decorum :: propriety; orderliness and good

taste in manners

dermatologist :: one who studies the skin

and its diseases

deleterious :: harmful

declivity :: downward slope

decomposition :: decay

derivative :: unoriginal; obtained from

another source

demoniac :: fiendish
demotic :: pertaining to the people

desperado :: reckless outlaw i.e. criminal

despise :: look on with scorn; regard as
worthless or distasteful
despoil :: plunder
despondent :: depressed; gloomy
despot :: tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler
destitute :: extremely poor
desultory :: aimless; haphazard;
digressing at random
detached :: emotionally removed; calm
and objective; physically separate
determinate :: having a fixed order of
procedure; invariable
determination :: resolve; *measurement
or calculation*; decision
deterrent :: something that discourages;
hindrance

detonation :: explosion

disburse :: pay out

disperse :: scatter

detraction :: slandering; aspersion

discernible :: mentally quick and

observant; having insight

dispirited :: lacking in spirit

detrimental :: harmful; damaging

deviate :: turn away from (a principle,
norm); depart; diverge
devious :: roundabout; erratic; not
straightforward
devise :: think up; invent; plan
devoid :: lacking
devolve :: deputize; pass to others
devotee :: enthusiastic follower
devout :: pious
dexterous :: skillful
diabolical :: devilish
diadem :: crown
dialectical :: relating to the art of debate;
*mutual or reciprocal*
diaphanous :: sheer; transparent
diatribe :: bitter scolding; invective
dichotomy :: split; branching into two
parts (especially contradictory ones)
dictum :: authoritative and weighty
statement; saying; maxim
didactic :: teaching; instructional
die :: device for stamping or impressing;
mold
diffidence :: shyness
diffuse :: *wordy; rambling*; spread out
(like a gas)
digression :: wandering away from the
subject
dilapidated :: ruined because of neglect
dilate :: expand
dilatory :: delaying
dilemma :: problem; choice of two
unsatisfactory alternatives
dilettante :: aimless follower of the arts;
amateur; dabbler
diligence :: steadiness of effort; persistent
hard work
dilute :: make less concentrated; reduce in
strength
diminution :: lessening; reduction in size
din :: continued loud noise

disclaim :: disown; renounce claim to

disclose :: reveal
discombobulated :: confused; discomposed
discomfit :: put to rout; defeat; disconcert
disconcert :: confuse; upset; embarrass
disconsolate :: sad

dissemble :: disguise; pretend

discount :: disregard

disseminate :: distribute; spread; scatter

(like seeds)

discourse :: formal discussion;

conversation
discredit :: defame; destroy confidence in;
disbelieve
discrepancy :: lack of consistency;
difference

dissimulate :: pretend; conceal by feigning

dissolution :: disintegration; looseness in

morals

discriminating :: able to see differences;

prejudiced

dissonance :: discord; opposite of

harmony

discursive :: digressing; rambling

dissuade :: persuade not to do; discourage

disdain :: view with scorn or contempt

distant :: reserved or aloof; cold in

manner

disembark :: go ashore; unload cargo from

a ship
distend :: expand; swell out
disenfranchise :: deprive of a civil right

distill :: purify; refine; concentrate

disengage :: uncouple; separate;

disconnect

distinction :: honor; contrast;

discrimination

disfigure :: mar the appearance of; spoil

distort :: twist out of shape

disgorge :: surrender something; eject;

vomit

distrait :: absentminded

disgruntle :: make discontented

15 wordlist
dishearten :: discourage

distraught :: upset; distracted by anxiety

diurnal :: daily
diva :: operatic singer; prima donna

disheveled :: untidy

diverge :: vary; go in different directions

from the same point

disinclination :: unwillingness

divergent :: differing; deviating

disingenuous :: not nave; sophisticated

diverse :: differing in some characteristics;

various

disinter :: dig up; unearth

disinterested :: unprejudiced
disjointed :: disconnected

diorama :: life-size, three-dimensional

scene from nature or history

dismember :: cut into small parts

dismiss :: eliminate from consideration;
reject

dirge :: lament with music; a funeral hymn disparage :: belittle

disband :: dissolve; disperse

dissident :: dissenting; rebellious

discretion :: prudence; ability to adjust

actions to circumstances

dismantle :: take apart

disavowal :: denial; disclaiming

dissertation :: formal essay

dissipate :: squander; waste; scatter

dint :: means; effort

disarray :: disorderly or untidy state

dissent :: disagree

discrete :: separate; unconnected

dislodge :: remove (forcibly)

disapprobation :: disapproval;
condemnation

disquisition :: a formal systematic inquiry;

an explanation of the results of a formal
inquiry

discordant :: not harmonious; conflicting

dingy :: dull; not fresh; cheerless

disaffected :: disloyal

disquietude :: uneasiness; anxiety

dissection :: analysis; cutting apart in

order to examine

dinghy :: small boat (*often ship's boat*)

disabuse :: correct a false impression;

undeceive

disputatious :: argumentative; fond or

arguing

discord :: conflict; lack of harmony

disjunction :: act or state of separation;

disunity

dire :: disastrous

disport :: to indulge in amusement; play;

frolic

disparate :: basically different; unrelated

disparity :: difference; condition of
inequality

diversion :: act of turning aside; pastime

diversity :: variety; dissimilitude
divest :: strip; deprive
divine :: perceive intuitively; foresee the
future
divulge :: reveal
docile :: obedient; easily managed
docket :: program as for trial; book where
such entries are made
doctrinaire :: unable to compromise about
points of doctrine; dogmatic; unyielding
doctrine :: teachings in general; particular
principle (religious, legal, etc.) taught
document :: provide written evidence

dispassionate :: calm; impartial

doddering :: shaky; infirm from old age

dispatch :: speediness; prompt execution;

message sent with all due speed

doff :: take off

dispel :: scatter; drive away; cause to

vanish

dogged :: determined; stubborn

doggerel :: poor verse

dogmatic :: opinionated; arbitrary;

doctrinal
doldrums :: blues; listlessness; slack
period
dolorous :: sorrowful
dolt :: stupid person

eclipse :: darken; extinguish; *surpass*

embezzlement :: stealing

ecologist :: person concerned with the

interrelationship between living organisms
and their environment

emboss :: produce a design in raised relief

economy :: efficiency or conciseness in

using something

domicile :: home

ecstasy :: rapture; joy; any overpowering

emotion

domineer :: rule over tyrannically

eddy :: swirling current of water, air, etc

don :: put on

edict :: decree (especially one issued by a

sovereign); official command

dormant :: sleeping; lethargic; latent

dormer :: window projecting from roof
dorsal :: relating to the back of an animal
dossier :: a collection of documents
concerning a particular person or matter
dotage :: senility
dote :: be excessively fond of; show signs
of mental decline
dour :: sullen; stubborn
douse :: plunge into water; drench;
extinguish
dowdy :: slovenly; untidy
downcast :: disheartened; sad
drab :: dull; lacking color; cheerless
draconian :: extremely severe
dregs :: sediment; worthless residue
drivel :: nonsense; foolishness
droll :: queer and amusing
drone (n.) :: idle person; male bee
drone (v.) :: talk dully; buzz or murmur
like a bee
dross :: waste matter; worthless
impurities
drudgery :: menial work
dubious :: questionable; filled with doubt
ductile :: malleable; flexible; pliable
dulcet :: sweet sounding
dumbfound :: astonish
dupe :: someone easily fooled
duplicity :: double-dealing; hypocrisy

16 wordlist
duration :: length of time something lasts
duress :: forcible restraint, especially
unlawfully
dutiful :: respectful; obedient
dwindle :: shrink; reduce
dynamic :: energetic; vigorously active
dyspeptic :: suffering from indigestion
earthy :: unrefined; coarse
ebb :: recede; lessen
ebullient :: showing excitement;
overflowing with enthusiasm
eccentric :: irregular; odd; whimsical;
bizarre
eccentricity :: oddity; idiosyncrasy
ecclesiastic :: pertaining to the church
eclectic :: selective; composed of elements
drawn from disparate sources

edify :: instruct; correct morally

eerie :: weird
efface :: rub out
effectual :: able to produce a desired
effect; valid
effeminate :: having womanly traits

embrace :: hug; adopt or espouse; accept

readily; encircle; include
embroider :: decorate with needlework;
ornament with fancy or fictitious details
embroil :: throw into confusion; involve in
strife; entangle
embryonic :: undeveloped; rudimentary
emend :: correct, usually a text
emendation :: correction of errors;
improvement
emetic :: substance causing vomiting
eminent :: high; lofty
emissary :: agent; messenger
emollient :: soothing or softening remedy

emolument :: salary; compensation

effervescence :: inner excitement or
exuberance; bubbling from fermentation or
empathy :: ability to identify with
carbonation
another's feelings, ideas, etc.
effete :: worn out; exhausted; barren
empirical :: based on experience
efficacy :: power to produce desired effect
emulate :: imitate; rival
effigy :: dummy
enamored :: in love
effluvium :: noxious smell
encipher :: encode; convert a message
into code
effrontery :: shameless boldness
effusion :: pouring forth
effusive :: pouring forth; gushing
egoism :: excessive interest in one's self;
belief that one should be interested in
one's self rather than in others
egotistical :: excessively self-centered;
self-important; conceited
egregious :: notorious; conspicuously bad
or shocking
egress :: exit
ejaculation :: exclamation
elaboration :: addition of details; intricacy
elated :: overjoyed; in high spirits

enclave :: territory enclosed within an

alien land
encomiastic :: praising; eulogistic
encomium :: high praise; eulogy
encompass :: surround
encroachment :: gradual intrusion

17 wordlist
encumber :: burden
endearment :: fond word or act
endemic :: prevailing among a specific
group of people or in a specific area or
country
endorse :: approve; support

elegy :: poem or song expressing

lamentation; funeral song

endue :: provide with some quality; endow

elicit :: draw out by discussion

enduring :: lasting; surviving

elixir :: cure-all; something invigorating

energize :: invigorate; make forceful and

active

ellipsis :: omission of words from a text

enervate :: weaken

elliptical :: oval; ambiguous, either

purposely or because key words have been
left out

enfranchise :: admit to the rights of

citizenship (especially the right to vote)

eloquence :: expressiveness; persuasive

speech

engage :: attract; hire; pledge oneself;

confront

elucidate :: explain; enlighten

engaging :: charming; attractive

elusive :: evasive; baffling; hard to grasp

engender :: cause; produce

elysian :: relating to paradise; blissful

engross :: occupy fully

emaciated :: thin and wasted

enhance :: increase; improve

emanate :: issue forth

enigma :: puzzle; mystery

emancipate :: set free

enigmatic :: obscure; puzzling

embargo :: ban on commerce or other

activity

enjoin :: command; order; *forbid*

enmity :: ill will; hatred

embark :: commence; go on board a boat;

begin a journey

ennui :: boredom

embed :: enclose; place in something

enormity :: hugeness (in a bad sense)

embellish :: adorn; ornament; enhance, as

a story

enrapture :: please intensely

ensconce :: settle comfortably

erratic :: odd; unpredictable

ensue :: follow

erroneous :: mistaken; wrong

entail :: require; necessitate; involve

erudite :: learned; scholarly

enterprising :: full of initiative

escapade :: prank; flighty conduct

enthanasia :: mercy killing

eschew :: avoid

enthrall :: capture; enslave

esoteric :: hard to understand; known only

to the chosen few

entice :: lure; attract; tempt

entity :: real being
entomology :: study of insects
entrance :: put under a spell; carry away
with emotion
entreat :: plead; ask earnestly
entre :: entrance; a way in
entrepreneur :: businessperson; contractor
enumerate :: list; mention one by one
enunciate :: utter or speak, especially
distinctly
environ :: enclose; surround
eon :: long period of time; an age
epaulet :: ornament worn on the shoulder
(of a uniform, etc.)
ephemeral :: short-lived; fleeting

espionage :: spying
espouse :: adopt; support
esteem :: respect; value
estranged :: separated; alienated
ethereal :: light; heavenly; unusually
refined
ethnic :: relating to races
ethnology :: study of humankind
ethos :: underlying character of a culture,
group, etc
etymology :: study of word parts
eugenic :: pertaining to the improvement
of race through the control of hereditary
factors in mating
eulogistic :: praising

18 wordlist

exemplify :: show by example; furnish an

example
exempt :: not subject to a duty or
obligation
exertion :: effort; expenditure of much
physical work
exhilarating :: invigorating and refreshing;
cheering
exhort :: to urge earnestly by advice,
warning, etc. (to do what is proper or
required); admonish strongly
exhume :: dig out of the ground; remove
from the grave
exigency :: urgent situation
exiguous :: small; minute
existential :: pertaining to existence;
pertaining to the philosophy of
existentialism
exodus :: departure
exonerate :: acquit; exculpate
exorbitant :: excessive
exorcise :: drive out evil spirits
exotic :: not native; strange
expansive :: *outgoing and sociable*;
broad and extensive; able to increase in
size

epic :: long heroic poem, novel, or similar

work of art

eulogy :: expression of praise, often on the

expatiate :: talk at length
occasion of someone's death

epicure :: connoisseur of food and drink

euphemism :: mild expression in place of

unpleasant one

epigram :: witty thought or saying, usually

short

euphony :: sweet sound

epilogue :: short speech at conclusion of

dramatic work

euphoria :: feeling of exaggerated (or

unfounded) well-being

episodic :: loosely connected

evanescent :: fleeting; vanishing

epistemologist :: philosopher who studies

the nature of knowledge

evasive :: not frank; eluding

epitaph :: inscription in memory of a dead

person
epithet :: word or phrase characteristically
used to describe a person or thing

evenhanded :: impartial; fair

evince :: show clearly
evocative :: tending to call up (emotions,
memories)

epitome :: perfect example or embodiment evoke :: call forth

epoch :: the beginning of a new and
important period in the history of
anything; period of time

ewe :: female sheep

equable :: tranquil; steady; uniform

exacting :: extremely demanding

equanimity :: calmness of temperament;

composure

exalt :: raise in rank or dignity; praise

equestrian :: rider on horseback

equilibrium :: balance
equine :: resembling a horse

exacerbate :: worsen; embitter

exasperate :: vex
exceptionable :: objectionable
excerpt :: selected passage (written or
musical)

equinox :: period of equal days and nights; exchequer :: treasury

the beginning of spring and autumn
excise :: cut away; cut out
equipoise :: balance; balancing force;
exclaim :: cry out suddenly
equilibrium
equitable :: fair; impartial
equity :: fairness; justice
equivocal :: ambiguous; intentionally
misleading
equivocate :: lie; mislead; attempt to
conceal the truth
erode :: eat away
erotic :: pertaining to passionate love
errant :: wandering

excoriate :: scold with biting harshness;

strip the skin off
exculpate :: clear from blame
execrable :: very bad
execrate :: curse; express abhorrence for
execute :: put into effect; carry out
exegesis :: explanation, especially of
biblical passages
exemplary :: serving as a mode;
outstanding

expatriate :: exile; someone who has

withdrawn form his native land
expedient :: suitable; practical; politic
expedite :: hasten
expenditure :: payment or expense;
*output*
expertise :: specialized knowledge; expert
skill
expiate :: make amends for (a sin)
expletive :: interjection; profane oath
explicate :: explain; interpret; clarify
explicit :: totally clear; definite; outspoken
exploit :: make use of, sometimes unjustly
expository :: explanatory; serving to
explain
expostulation :: protest; remonstrance
exposure :: risk, particularly of being
exposed to disease or to the elements;
unmasking; act of laying something open
expropriate :: take possession of
expunge :: cancel; remove
expurgate :: clean; remove offensive parts
of a book
extant :: still in existence
extemporaneous :: not planned;
impromptu
extenuate :: weaken; mitigate
extirpate :: to pull up by the roots; root
out; to destroy or remove completely;
exterminate; abolish
extol :: praise; glorify
extort :: wring from; get money by
threats, etc.
extradition :: handing over a person
accused of crime to State where crime was
committed

extraneous :: not essential; superfluous

fecundity :: fertile; fruitfulness

flamboyant :: ornate

extrapolation :: projection; conjecture

feign :: pretend

flaunt :: display ostentatiously

extricate :: free; disentangle

feint :: trick; shift; sham blow

extrinsic :: external; not essential;

extraneous

felicitous :: apt; suitable expressed; well

chosen

flay :: strip off skin; *plunder*; to criticize

mercilessly

extrovert :: person interested mostly in

external objects and actions

felicity :: happiness; appropriateness (of a

remark, choice, etc.)

extrude :: force or push out

fell (adj.) :: cruel; deadly

exuberance :: overflowing abundance;

joyful enthusiasm; flamboyance;
lavishness

fell (v) :: cut or knock down; bring down

(with a missile)

exude :: discharge; give forth

exult :: rejoice
fabricate :: build; lie
faade :: front (of building); superficial or
false appearance
facet :: small plane surface (of a gem); a
side
facetious :: joking (often inappropriately);
humorous

felon :: person convicted of a grave crime

factotum :: handyman; person who does

all kinds of work
faculty :: mental or bodily powers;
teaching staff

19 wordlist
fallacious :: false; misleading
fallible :: liable to err
fallow :: plowed but not sowed;
uncultivated

flick :: light stroke as with a whip

flinch :: hesitate; shrink

20 wordlist

ferret :: drive or hunt out hiding

flit :: fly; dart lightly; pass swiftly by

fervent :: ardent; hot

floe :: mass of floating ice

fervid :: ardent

flora :: plants of a region or era

fervor :: glowing ardor; intensity of feeling

florid :: ruddy; reddish; flowery

fester :: rankle; produce irritation

resentment

flotsam :: drifting wreckage

fete :: honor at a festival; entertain (<-v)

(n->) outdoor function to raise money for
charity

factitious :: artificial; sham

fleece (v) :: rob; plunder

flippant :: lacking proper seriousness

facilitate :: help bring about; make less

difficult

factious :: inclined to form factions;

causing dissension

fleece (n) :: wool coat of a sheep

ferment :: agitation; commotion

festive :: joyous; celebratory

faction :: small group with special aims

within the larger one; party; clique;
dissension

fledgling :: inexperienced

feral :: not domestic; wild

facile :: easily accomplished; ready or

fluent; *superficial*

facsimile :: copy

fleck :: spot

fetid :: malodorous
fetter :: shackle
feud :: lasting mutual hostility especially
between two families or groups
fiasco :: total failure
fiat :: command

flounder :: struggle and thrash about;

proceed clumsily or falter
flourish :: grow well; prosper; make
sweeping gestures
flout :: reject; mock
fluctuate :: waver; shift
fluency :: smoothness of speech
fluke :: unlikely occurrence; stroke of
fortune
fluster :: confuse

fickle :: changeable; faithless

fluted :: having vertical parallel grooves

(as in a pillar)

fictitious :: imaginary

flux :: flowing; series of changes

fidelity :: loyalty

fodder :: coarse food for cattle, horses, etc

figment :: invention; imaginary thing

foible :: weakness; slight fault

figurative :: not literal, but metaphorical;

using a figure of speech

foil (n) :: *contrast*

figurine :: small ornamental statuette

filch :: steal

foil (v) :: defeat; frustrate

foist :: insert improperly; palm off
foliage :: masses of leaves

falter :: hesitate

filial :: pertaining to a son or daughter

fanaticism :: excessive zeal; extreme

devotion to a belief or cause

filibuster :: block legislation by making

long speeches

fancied :: imagined; unreal

filigree :: delicate, lacelike metalwork

fancier :: breeder or dealer of animals

filing :: particle removed by a file

foppish :: vain (<-conceited, proud of )

about dress and appearance

fanciful :: whimsical; visionary

finale :: conclusion

foray :: raid

fanfare :: call by bugles or trumpets;

showy display

finesse :: delicate skill

forbearance :: patience

finicky :: too particular; fussy

ford :: place where a river can be crossed

on foot

farce :: broad comedy; mockery

fastidious :: difficult to please; squeamish
fatalism :: belief that events are
determined by forces beyond one's control

finite :: limited
firebrand :: hothead; troublemaker
fissure :: crevice

foment :: stir up; instigate

foolhardy :: bold or daring in a foolish
way; rash; reckless

forebears :: ancestors
foreboding :: premonition of evil

fathom :: comprehend; investigate

fitful :: spasmodic; intermittent

forensic :: suitable to debate or courts of

law

fatuous :: foolish; inane

flaccid :: hanging in loose folds or

wrinkles; flabby

foreshadow :: give an indication

beforehand; portend; prefigure

flag :: droop; grow feeble

foresight :: ability to foresee future

happenings; prudence

fauna :: animals of a period or region

fawning :: courting favor by cringing and
flattering
faze :: disconcert; dismay

flagrant :: conspicuously wicked; blatant;

outrageous

feasible :: practical

flail :: thresh grain by hand; strike or slap;

toss about

febrile :: feverish i.e having symptoms of

fever or 2) excited, restless

flair :: talent

forestall :: prevent by taking action in

advance
forgo :: give up; do without
forlorn :: sad and lonely; wretched

formality :: ceremonious quality;

something done just for form's sake
formidable :: menacing; threatening
forsake :: desert; abandon; renounce
forswear :: renounce; abandon
forte :: strong point or special talent
forthright :: straightforward; direct; frank
fortitude :: bravery; courage
fortuitous :: accidental; by chance
foster :: rear; encourage
founder (n) :: person who establishes (an
organization, business)
founder (v) :: *fail completely; sink*
fracas :: brawl, melee
fractious :: unruly
frail :: weak
franchise :: right granted by authority;
right to vote; license to sell a product in a
particular territory
frantic :: wild
fraudulent :: cheating; deceitful
fraught :: filled
fray :: a noisy quarrel or fight; brawl
frenetic :: frenzied; frantic

gaffe :: social blunder

21 wordlist
gainsay :: deny
gait :: manner of walking or running;
speed
galaxy :: large, isolated system of stars,
such as the Milky Way; a collection of
brilliant personalities

gingerly :: very carefully

galleon :: large sailing ship. ( pinnace -->

small sailing ship)

girth :: distance around something;

circumference

galvanize :: stimulate by shock; stir up;

revitalize

gist :: essence

fructify :: bear fruit; fulfillment; realization

frugality :: thrift; economy
fruition :: bearing of fruit; fulfillment;
realization
frustrate :: thwart; defeat
fugitive :: fleeting or transitory; roving
fulcrum :: support on which a lever rests
fulminate :: thunder; explode
fulsome :: disgustingly excessive
functionary :: official
fundamental :: basic; primary; essential
funereal :: sad; solemn
furor :: frenzy; great excitement
furtive :: secret or surreptitious behaviour;
stealthy; sneaky
fusillade :: simultaneous firing or outburst
(of missiles, questions, etc.)
fusion :: union; coalition
futile :: useless; hopeless; ineffectual
gadfly :: animal-biting fly; an irritating fly;
an irritating person

glacial :: like a glacier; extremely cold

gambit :: opening in chess in which a piece

glaring :: highly conspicuous; harshly
is sacrificed
bright
gambol :: romp; skip about; leap playfully
gamely :: in a spirited manner; with
courage
gamut :: entire range
gape :: open widely
garbled :: mixed up; jumbled; distorted
gargantuan :: huge; enormous

friction :: *clash in opinion*; rubbing

against

frond :: fern leaf; palm or banana leaf

gibberish :: nonsense; babbling

gall (v) :: annoy; chafe

garner :: gather; store up

frolicsome :: prankish; gay

ghastly :: horrible

giddy :: light-hearted; dizzy

garish :: over bright in color; gaudy

frivolous :: lacking in seriousness; selfindulgently carefree; relatively

unimportant

gesticulation :: motion; gesture

gall (n) :: bitterness; nerve

fret :: to be annoyed or vexed

fritter :: waste

gestate :: evolve, as in prenatal growth

gibe :: mock

fresco :: painting on plaster (usually fresh)

frigid :: intensely cold

gerrymander :: change voting district lines

in order to favor a political party

gale :: windstorm; gust of wind; emotional

outburst (laughter, tears)

gargoyle :: waterspout carved in

grotesque figures on a building

frieze :: ornamental band on a wall

gerontocracy :: government ruled by old

people

garnish :: decorate
garrulous :: loquacious; wordy; talkative
gastronomy :: science of preparing and
serving good food
gauche :: clumsy; coarse and uncouth
gaudy :: flashy; showy
gaunt :: lean and angular; barren

glaze :: cover with a thin and shiny surface

glean :: gather leavings
glib :: fluent; facile; slick
glimmer :: shine erratically; twinkle
gloat :: express evil satisfaction; view
malevolently
gloss over :: explain away
glossary :: brief explanation of words used
in the text
glossy :: smooth and shining
glower :: to stare with sullen anger; scowl
glut :: overstock; fill to excess
glutinous :: sticky; viscous
glutton :: someone who eats too much
gnarled :: twisted
gnome :: dwarf; underground spirit
goad :: urge on

gavel :: hammer like tool; mallet

gorge (n) :: narrow canyon; steep, rocky

cleft

gawk :: stare foolishly; look in openmouthed awe

gorge (v) :: stuff oneself

gazette :: official periodical publication

genealogy :: record of descent; lineage
generality :: vague statement

gory :: bloody
gossamer :: sheer; like cobwebs

22 wordlist

generate :: cause; produce; create

gouge :: 1) tear out 2) overcharge

generic :: characteristic of an entire class

or species

gourmand :: epicure; person who takes

excessive pleasure in food and drink

genesis :: beginning; origin

gourmet :: connoisseur of food and drink

geniality :: cheerfulness; kindliness;

sympathy

graduated :: arranged by degrees (of

height, difficulty, etc.)

genre :: particular variety of art or

literature

granary :: storehouse for grain

genteel :: well-bred; elegant

grandeur :: impressiveness; stateliness;

majesty

gentility :: those of gentle birth;

refinement

grandiloquent :: pompous; bombastic;

using high-sounding language

gentry :: people of standing; class of

people just below nobility

grandiose :: pretentious; high-flown;

ridiculously exaggerated; impressive

genuflect :: bend the knees as in worship

granulate :: form into grains

germane :: pertinent; bearing upon the

case at hand

graphic :: pertaining to the art of

delineating; vividly described

germinal :: pertaining to a germ; creative

grapple :: wrestle; come to grips with

germinate :: cause to sprout

grate :: make a harsh noise; having an

unpleasant effect; shred
gratify :: please
gratis :: free
gratuitous :: given freely; unwarranted;
uncalled for

harbinger :: forerunner; indication

homage :: honor; tribute

harbor :: provide a refuge for; hide

homeostasis :: tendency of a system to

maintain relative stability

hardy :: sturdy; robust; able to stand

inclement weather

homespun :: domestic; made at home

harping :: tiresome dwelling on a subject

homily :: sermon; serious warning

harrowing :: agonizing; distressing;

traumatic

homogeneous :: of the same kind

gratuity :: tip
gravity :: seriousness

harry :: harass, annoy, torment; raid

gregarious :: sociable

hatch :: deck opening; lid covering a deck

opening

horde :: crowd

haughtiness :: pride; arrogance

hortatory :: encouraging; exhortive

haven :: place of safety; refuge

horticulture :: pertaining to cultivation of

gardens

grievance :: cause of complaint

grill :: question severely
grimace :: a facial distortion to show
feeling such as pain, disgust, etc.

hazardous :: dangerous

grin :: smile broadly, showing teeth

hazy :: slightly obscure

grisly :: ghastly

headlong :: hasty; rash

grotesque :: fantastic; comically hideous

headstrong :: stubborn; willful; unyielding

grotto :: small cavern

heckler :: person who verbally harasses

others

grouse :: complain; fuss

grovel :: crawl or creep on ground; remain
prostrate
grudging :: unwilling; reluctant; stingy

hedonist :: one who believes that pleasure

is the sole aim in life
heedless :: not noticing; disregarding

gruel :: thin, liquid porridge

hegemony :: dominance, especially of one

nation over others

grueling :: exhausting

heinous :: atrocious; hatefully bad

gruesome :: grisly; horrible

herbivorous :: grain-eating

gruff :: rough-mannered

heresy :: opinion contrary to popular

belief; opinion contrary to accepted
religion

guffaw :: boisterous laughter

guile :: deceit; duplicity; wiliness; cunning
guileless :: without deceit
guise :: appearance; costume
gull :: trick; hoodwink
gullible :: easily deceived
gustatory :: affecting the sense of taste
gusto :: enjoyment; enthusiasm
gusty :: windy
guy :: a rope, chain, or rod attached to
something to steady or guide it
gyroscope :: apparatus used to maintain
balance, ascertain direction, etc
habituate :: accustom or familiarize; addict
hackles :: hairs on back and neck,
especially of a dog
hackneyed :: commonplace; trite
haggard :: wasted away; gaunt
haggle :: argue about price
halcyon :: calm; peaceful
hale :: healthy
hallowed :: blessed; consecrated

hermetic :: 1) sealed by fusion so as to be

airtight 2) obscure and mysterious; occult
hermitage :: home of a hermit
herpetologist :: one who studies reptiles
heterodox :: unorthodox; unconventional
heterogeneous :: dissimilar; mixed

hostility :: unfriendliness; hatred

hovel :: shack; small, wretched house
hover :: hang about; wait nearby
hubbub :: confused uproar
hubris :: arrogance; excessive self-conceit
hue :: color; aspect
hue and cry :: outcry
humane :: marked by kindness or
consideration
humdrum :: dull; monotonous
humid :: damp
humility :: humbleness of spirit
hummock :: small hill
humus :: substance formed by decaying
vegetable matter
hurtle :: crash; rush; to move swiftly and
with great force
husband (v) :: use sparingly; conserve;
save
husbandry :: frugality; thrift; agriculture
hybrid :: mongrel (<-- crossbred); mixed
breed

heyday :: time of greatest success; prime

hydrophobia :: fear of water; rabies

hiatus :: gap; pause

hyperbole :: exaggeration; overstatement

23 wordlist
hibernal :: wintry
hibernate :: sleep throughout the winter
hierarchy :: arrangement by rank or
standing; authoritarian body divided into
ranks

hypercritical :: excessively exacting

hypochondriac :: person unduly worried
about his health; worrier without cause
about illness
hypocritical :: pretending to be virtuous;
deceiving

hieroglyphic :: picture writing

hypothetical :: based on assumptions or

hypotheses; supposed

hilarity (adj.) hilarious :: boisterous mirth

ichthyology :: study of fish

hindmost :: furthest behind

icon :: religious image; idol

hindrance :: block; obstacle

iconoclastic :: attacking cherished

traditions

hinterlands :: back country

hallucination :: delusion
halting :: hesitant; faltering

hirsute :: hairy

hamper :: obstruct

histrionic :: theatrical

hap :: chance; luck

hoard :: stockpile; accumulate for future

use

hapless :: unfortunate

hoodwink :: deceive; delude

hew :: cut to pieces with ax or sword

hireling :: one who serves for hire (usually

used contemptuously)

haphazard :: random; by chance

hone :: sharpen

ideology :: system of ideas characteristic

of a group or culture
idiom :: expression whose meaning as a
whole differs from the meanings of its
individual words; distinctive style
idiosyncrasy :: individual trait, usually odd
in nature; eccentricity

hoary :: white with age

idolatry :: worship of idols; excessive

admiration

hoax :: trick; practical joke

harangue :: long, passionate, and

vehement speech

idyllic :: charmingly carefree; simple

holocaust :: destruction by fire

igneous :: produced by fire; volcanic

harass :: annoy by repeated attacks

holster :: pistol case

ignite :: kindle; light

ignoble :: unworthy; not noble

ignominy :: deep disgrace; shame or
dishonor
illicit :: illegal
illimitable :: infinite
illuminate :: brighten; clear up or make
understandable; enlighten
illusion :: misleading vision
illusive :: deceiving
illusory :: deceptive; not real
imbalance :: lack of balance or symmetry;
disproportion

impertinent :: 1) having no connection

with a given matter; 2) insolent; rude

inaugurate :: begin formally; install in

office

imperturbable :: calm; placid

incandescent :: strikingly bright; shining

with intense heat

impervious :: impenetrable; *incapable of

being damaged or distressed*
impetuous :: violent; hasty; rash
impetus :: moving force; incentive;
stimulus

impinge :: 1) infringe; 2) touch; collide

with

incarnation :: act of assuming a human

body and human nature

impious :: irreverent

incendiary :: having to do with the willful

destruction of property by fire; arsonist

imbibe :: drink in

implausible :: unlikely; unbelievable

imbroglio :: complicated situation; painful

or complex misunderstanding;
entanglement; confused mass (as of
papers)

implement :: put into effect; supply with

tools

immaculate :: spotless; flawless;

absolutely clean
imminent :: near at hand; impending
immobility :: state of being immovable
immolate :: offer as a sacrifice
immune :: resistant to; free or exempt
from

incarcerate :: imprison
incarnate :: endowed with flesh;
personified

implacable :: incapable of being pacified

24 wordlist

incapacitate :: disable

impiety :: irreverence; lack of respect for

God

imbecility :: weakness of mind

imbue :: saturate, fill

incantation :: singing or chanting of magic

spells; magical formula

implicate :: incriminate; show to be

involved
implication :: something hinted at or
suggested
implicit :: understood but not stated

incense :: 1) --- sticks 2) enrage; infuriate

incentive :: spur; motive
inception :: start; beginning
incessant :: uninterrupted; unceasing

25 wordlist
inchoate :: recently begun; rudimentary;
elementary

implode :: burst inward

incidence :: rate of occurrence; particular

occurrence

implore :: beg

incidental :: not essential; minor

imply :: suggest a meaning not expressed;

signify

incipient :: beginning; in an early stage

impolitic :: not wise

incisive :: cutting; sharp

imponderable :: weightless

incite :: arouse to action; goad; motivate;

induce to exist

import :: significance

inclement :: stormy; unkind

immutable :: unchangeable

importunate :: urging; demanding

incline :: slope; slant

impair :: injure; hurt

importune :: beg persistently

inclined :: tending or leaning toward; bent

impale :: pierce

imposture :: assuming a false identity;

masquerade

inclusive :: tending to include all

immure :: imprison; shut up in

confinement

impalpable :: imperceptible; intangible

impartial :: not biased; fair
impassable :: not able to be traveled or
crossed
impasse :: predicament from which there
is no escape
impassive :: without feeling;
imperturbable; stoical
impeach :: charge with crime in office;
indict
impeccable :: faultless
impecunious :: without money
impede :: hinder; block

impotent :: weak; ineffective

imprecation :: curse
impregnable :: invulnerable
impromptu :: without previous
preparation; off the cuff; on the spur of
the moment
impropriety :: improperness;
unsuitableness
improvident :: thriftless
improvise :: compose on the spur of the
moment
imprudent :: lacking caution; injudicious

incognito :: with identity concealed; using

an assumed name
incoherent :: unintelligible; muddled;
illogical
incommodious :: not spacious;
inconvenient
incompatible :: inharmonious
incongruity :: lack or harmony; absurdity
inconsequential :: insignificant;
unimportant
inconsistency :: state of being selfcontradictory; lack of uniformity or
steadiness

impudence :: impertinence; insolence

incontinent :: lacking self-restraint;

licentious

impel :: drive or force onward

impugn :: dispute or contradict (often in

an insulting way); challenge; gainsay

incontrovertible :: indisputable; not open

to question

impending :: nearing; approaching

impuissance :: powerlessness; feebleness

impenetrable :: not able to be pierced or

entered; beyond understanding

impunity :: freedom from punishment or

harm

incorporate :: introduce something into a

larger whole; combine; unite

impenitent :: not repentant

impute :: *attribute; ascribe*

imperative :: absolutely necessary;

critically important

inadvertently :: unintentionally; by
oversight; carelessly

imperceptible :: unnoticeable;
undetectable

inalienable :: not to be taken away;

nontransferable

imperial :: like an emperor; related to an

empire

inane :: silly; senseless

impediment :: hindrance; stumbling-block

imperious :: domineering; haughty

impermeable :: impervious; not permitting
passage through its substance

incorporeal :: lacking a material body;

insubstantial
incorrigible :: uncorrectable
incredulity :: a tendency to disbelief
incredulous :: withholding belief; skeptical
increment :: increase

inanimate :: lifeless

incriminate :: accuse; serve as evidence

against

inarticulate :: speechless; producing

indistinct speech

incrustation :: hard coating or crust

incubate :: hatch; *scheme*

incubus :: burden; mental care; nightmare

infernal :: pertaining to hell; devilish

instigate :: urge; start; provoke

inculcate :: teach

infidel :: unbeliever

incumbent :: obligatory; currently holding

an office

infiltrate :: pass into or through; penetrate

(an organization) sneakily

insubordination :: disobedience;
rebelliousness

incur :: bring upon oneself

infinitesimal :: very small

incursion :: temporary invasion

infirmity :: weakness

indefatigable :: tireless

inflated :: exaggerated; pompous;

enlarged (with air or gas)

indelible :: not able to be erased

indemnify :: make secure against loss;
compensate for loss
indentation :: notch; deep recess
indenture :: sealed agreement, esp.
binding apprentice to master; bind in in--es

influx :: flowing into

infraction :: violation (of a rule or
regulation); breach

26 wordlist
infringe :: violate; encroach

insubstantial :: lacking substance;

insignificant; frail
insularity :: narrow-mindedness; isolation
insuperable :: insurmountable; unbeatable
insurgent :: rebellious
insurmountable :: overwhelming;
unbeatable; insuperable
insurrection :: rebellion; uprising
intangible :: not able to be perceived by
touch; *vague*

ingenious :: clever; resourceful

integral :: complete; necessary for

completeness

ingenious (2) :: nave and trusting; young;

unsophisticated

integrate :: make whole; combine; make

into one unit

indices :: signs; indications

ingrained :: deeply established; firmly

rooted

integrity :: uprightness; wholeness

indict :: accuse (esp. by legal process);

charge

ingrate :: ungrateful person

indeterminate :: uncertain; not clearly

fixed; indefinite
indicative :: suggestive, implying

indifferent :: unmoved or unconcerned by;

mediocre
indigence :: poverty
indigenous :: native
indigent :: poor; destitute
indignation :: anger at an injustice
indignity :: offensive or insulting treatment
indiscriminate :: choosing at random;
confused
indisputable :: too certain to be disputed
indissoluble :: permanent
indite :: write; compose
indolent :: lazy
indomitable :: unconquerable; unyielding
indubitable :: unable to be doubted;
unquestionable
induce :: persuade; bring about
inductive :: pertaining to induction or
proceeding from the specific to the general
indulgent :: humoring; yielding; lenient
industrious :: diligent; hard-working
inebriated :: habitually intoxicated; drunk
ineffable :: unutterable; cannot be
expressed in speech

ingratiate :: become popular with

inherent :: firmly established by nature or
habit

intellect :: higher mental powers

intelligentsia :: intellectuals; members of
the educated elite [often used
derogatorily]
inter :: bury

inhibit :: restrain; retard or prevent

interdict :: prohibit; forbid

inimical :: unfriendly; hostile; harmful;

detrimental

interim :: meantime

inimitable :: matchless; not able to be

imitated

interloper :: intruder
interminable :: endless

iniquitous :: wicked; immoral; unrighteous

intermittent :: periodic; on and off

initiate :: begin; originate; receive into a

group

internecine :: mutually destructive

injurious :: harmful
inkling :: hint

interpolate :: insert between

interregnum :: period between two reigns

innate :: inborn

interrogate :: question closely; crossexamine

innocuous :: harmless

intervene :: come between

innovation :: change; introduction of

something new

intimate :: hint

innuendo :: hint; insinuation

inopportune :: untimely; poorly chosen

intimidate :: frighten
intractable :: unruly; stubborn; unyielding

inordinate :: unrestrained; excessive

intransigence :: refusal of any

compromise; stubbornness

inquisitor :: questioner (especially harsh);

investigator

intrepid :: not afraid; bold; fearless;

dauntless; very brave

insalubrious :: unwholesome; not healthful

intrinsic :: essential; inherent; built-in

insatiable :: not easily satisfied;

unquenchable; greedy

introspective :: looking within oneself

introvert :: one who is introspective;
inclined to think more about oneself

ineffectual :: not effective; weak

inscrutable :: impenetrable; not readily

understood; mysterious

ineluctable :: inevitable; not to be escaped

insensate :: without feeling

intrude :: trespass; enter as an uninvited

person

inept :: lacking skill; unsuited;

incompetent

insensible :: unconscious; unresponsive;

lacking feeling

intuition :: immediate insight; power of

knowing without reasoning

inequity :: unfairness

insidious :: treacherous; stealthy; sly

inundate :: overwhelm; flood; submerge

inerrancy :: infallibility

insightful :: discerning; perceptive

inured :: accustomed; hardened

inert :: inactive; lacking power to move

insinuate :: hint; imply; creep in

invalidate :: weaken; destroy

inevitable :: unavoidable

insipid :: lacking in flavor; dull

invective :: abuse; verbal attack

inexorable :: relentless; unyielding;

implacable

insolence :: impudent disrespect;

haughtiness

inveigh :: denounce; utter censure or

invective

infallible :: unerring

insolvent :: bankrupt; lacking money to

pay

inveigle :: entice; tempt (into)

infamous :: notoriously bad

infantile :: childish; infant like
infer :: deduce; conclude

insomnia :: wakefulness; inability to sleep

insouciant :: indifferent; without concern
or care

inverse :: opposite
invert :: turn upside down or inside out

27 wordlist

jostle :: shove; bump; to push roughly or

hastily

lampoon :: ridicule

jovial :: good-natured; merry

lancet :: small surgical tool for making

incisions

jubilation :: rejoicing

languid :: weary; sluggish; listless

invincible :: unconquerable

judicious :: sound in judgment; wise

languish :: lose animation or strength

inviolable :: secure from corruption,

attack, or violation; unassailable

juggernaut :: irresistible crushing force

languor :: lassitude; depression

juncture :: crisis; joining point

lank :: long and thin

junket :: trip, especially one taken for

pleasure by an official at public expense

lap :: take in food or drink with one's

tongue; splash gently

junta :: group of persons joined in political

intrigue; cabal

larceny :: theft

invulnerable :: incapable of injury

iota :: very small quantity

jurisprudence :: science of law

irascible :: irritable; easily angered

justification :: good or just reason;

defense; excuse

lascivious :: lustful

juxtapose :: place side by side

lassitude :: languor; weariness;

disinclination to exert or interest oneself

kaleidoscope :: tube in which patterns

made by the reflection in mirrors of
colored pieces of glass, etc., produce
interesting symmetrical effects

latent :: potential but undeveloped;

dormant; hidden

inveterate :: deep-rooted; habitual

invidious :: designed to create ill will or
envy

invocation :: prayer for help; calling upon

as reference or support
invoke :: call upon; ask for

irate :: angry
iridescent :: exhibiting rainbowlike colors
irksome :: annoying; tedious
ironic :: occurring in an unexpected and
contrary manner
irony :: hidden sarcasm or satire; use of
words that seem to mean the opposite of
what they actually mean
irreconcilable :: incompatible; not able to
be resolved
irrefutable :: indisputable;
incontrovertible; undeniable
irrelevant :: not applicable; unrelated
irremediable :: incurable; uncorrectable
irreparable :: not able to be corrected or
repaired
irrepressible :: unable to be restrained or
held back
irreproachable :: blameless; impeccable
irresolute :: uncertain how to act; weak
irretrievable :: impossible to recover or
regain; irreparable
irreverence :: lack of proper respect
irrevocable :: unalterable; irreversible
isotope :: varying form of an element
isthmus :: narrow neck of land connecting
two larger bodies of land

ken :: range of knowledge

lavish :: liberal; wasteful

kindle :: start a fire; inspire

lax :: careless

kindred :: related; similar in nature or

character

leaven :: cause to rise or grow lighter;

enliven

kinetic :: producing motion

lechery :: gross lewdness; lustfulness

kismet :: fate

lectern :: reading desk

kleptomaniac :: person who has a

compulsive desire to steal

leery :: suspicious; cautious

jaunty :: lighthearted; animated; easy and

carefree
jeopardize :: endanger; imperil; put at risk
jettison :: throw overboard
jibe :: agree; be in harmony with
jingoist :: extremely aggressive and
militant patriot; warlike chauvinist
jocose :: given to joking
jocular :: said or done in jest
jocund :: merry
jollity :: gaiety; cheerfulness

leeway :: room to move; margin

knave :: untrustworthy person; rogue;

scoundrel

legacy :: a gift made by a will

knead :: mix; work dough

legend :: explanatory list of symbols on a

map

knell :: tolling of a bell, especially to

indicate a funeral, disaster, etc.; sound of
the funeral bell
knit :: contract into wrinkles; grow
together, as a broken bone
knoll :: little, round hill
knotty :: intricate; difficult; tangled
kudos :: honor; glory; praise

laborious :: demanding much work or

care; tedious

jaunt :: trip; short journey

latitude :: freedom from narrow limitations

killjoy :: grouch; spoilsport

jabber :: chatter rapidly or unintelligibly

jaundiced :: *prejudiced* (envious,

hostile, or resentful); yellowed

lateral :: coming from the side

laud :: praise

labile :: likely to change; unstable

jargon :: language used by special group;

technical terminology; gibberish

largess :: generous gift

kernel :: central or vital part; whole seed;

(as of corn)

itinerary :: plan of a trip

jaded :: fatigued; surfeited

larder :: pantry; place where food is kept

labyrinth :: maze
laceration :: torn, ragged wound
lachrymose :: producing tears
lackadaisical :: lacking purpose or zest;
halfhearted; languid
lackluster :: dull
laconic :: brief and to the point
laggard :: slow; sluggish

28 wordlist

legerdemain :: sleight of hand

leniency :: mildness; permissiveness
leonine :: like a lion
lethal :: deadly
lethargic :: drowsy; dull
levee :: earthen or stone embankment to
prevent flooding
levitate :: float in the air (especially by
magical means)
levity :: lack of seriousness or steadiness;
frivolity
levy :: impose (a fine); collect (a
payment)
lewd :: lustful
lexicographer :: compiler of a dictionary
lexicon :: dictionary
liability :: drawback; debts
liaison :: contact that keeps parties in
communication; go-between; secret love
affair

lagoon :: shallow body of water near a

sea; lake

libel (adj.->) libelous) :: defamatory

statement; act of writing something that
smears a person's character

laity :: laypersons; persons not connected

with the clergy

libertine :: debauched person, rou

lambaste :: beat; thrash verbally or

physically
lament :: grieve; express sorrow

libidinous :: lustful
libido :: emotional urges behind human
activity
libretto :: text of an opera

licentious :: amoral; lewd and lascivious;

unrestrained

lurk :: stealthily lie in waiting; slink; exist

unperceived

lien :: legal claim on a property

luscious :: pleasing to taste or smell

ligneous :: like wood

luster :: shine; gloss

lilliputian :: extremely small

lustrous :: shining

limbo :: region near heaven or hell where

certain souls are kept; a prison (slang)

luxuriant :: abundant; rich and splendid;

fertile

limn :: draw; outline; describe

macabre :: gruesome; grisly

limpid :: clear
lineage :: descent; ancestry
lineaments :: feature, especially of the
face
linger :: loiter or dawdle; continue or
persist

marsupial :: one of a family of mammals

that nurse their offspring in a pouch

liquidate :: settle accounts; clear up

maelstrom :: whirlpool

list :: tilt; lean over

magisterial :: authoritative; imperious

listless :: lacking in spirit or energy

magnanimity :: generosity

litany :: supplicatory prayer

magnate :: person of prominence or

influence
magniloquent :: boastful, pompous

loll :: lounge about

longevity :: long life
loom :: appear or take shape (usually in
an enlarged or distorted form)
loquacious :: talkative

29 wordlist
lout :: clumsy person
low :: moo
lucid :: easily understood; clear;
intelligible
lucrative :: profitable
lucre :: money

masochist :: person who enjoys his own

pain
masticate :: chew

maternal :: motherly

maladroit :: clumsy; bungling

matriarch :: woman who rules a family or

larger social group

malaise :: uneasiness; vague feeling of ill

health

loiter :: hang around; linger

martyr :: one who voluntarily suffers death

for his or her religion or cause; great
sufferer

maim :: mutilate; injure

loathe :: detest

log :: record of a voyage or flight; record

of day-to-day activities

martinet :: strict disciplinarian

materialism :: preoccupation with physical

comforts and things

malady :: illness

lofty :: very high

martial :: warlike

magnitude :: greatness; extent

loath :: reluctant; disinclined

lode :: metal-bearing vein

marital :: pertaining to marriage

machinations :: evil schemes or plots

madrigal :: pastoral song

livid :: lead-colored; black and blue;

ashen; enraged

manumit :: emancipate; free from

bondage

marshal :: put in order

lionize :: treat as a celebrity

litotes :: understatement for emphasis

mannered :: affected; not natural

Machiavellian :: crafty; double-dealing

maculated :: spotted; stained

litigation :: lawsuit

manipulate :: operate with one's hands;

control or play upon (people, forces, etc.)
artfully

maritime :: bordering on the sea; nautical

mace :: ceremonial staff; clublike medieval
weapon
marked :: noticeable; targeted for
vengeance
macerate :: soften by soaking in liquid;
marred :: damaged; disfigured
waste away

linguistic :: pertaining to language

lithe :: flexible; supple

manifold :: numerous; varied

matriculate :: enroll (in college or graduate

school)

malapropism :: comic misuse of a word

matrix :: *point of origin*; array of

numbers or algebraic symbols; mold or die

malcontent :: person dissatisfied with

existing state of affairs

maudlin :: effusively sentimental

malediction :: curse
malefactor :: evildoer; criminal

maul :: handle roughly

30 wordlist

malevolent :: wishing evil

mausoleum :: monumental tomb

malfeasance :: wrongdoing

mauve :: pale purple

malicious :: hateful; spiteful

malign :: speak evil of; bad-mouth;
defame

maverick :: rebel; nonconformist a person

who takes an independent stand, as in
politics, refusing to conform to that of a
party or group

malignant :: injurious; tending to cause

death; aggressively malevolent

mawkish :: mushy and gushy; icky-sticky

sentimental; maudlin

malingerer :: one who feigns illness to

escape duty

maxim :: proverb; a truth pithily stated

malleable :: capable of being shaped by

pounding; impressionable
malodorous :: foul-smelling

mayhem :: injury to body; any deliberate

destruction or violence
meager :: scanty; inadequate
mealy-mouthed :: indirect in speech;
hypocritical; evasive

ludicrous :: laughable; trifling

mammal :: vertebrate animal whose

female suckles its young

lugubrious :: mournful

mammoth :: gigantic; enormous

lull :: moment of calm

manacle :: restrain; handcuff

lumber :: move heavily or clumsily

mandate :: order; charge

mediate :: settle a dispute through the

services of an outsider

lumen :: unit of light energy (one candle's

worth)

mandatory :: obligatory

mediocre :: ordinary; commonplace

mangy :: shabby; wretched

meditation :: reflection; thought

maniacal :: raging mad; insane

medium :: element that is a creature's

natural environment; nutrient setting in
which microorganisms are cultivated

luminary :: celebrity; dignitary

luminous :: shining; issuing light
lunar :: pertaining to the moon
lunge :: make a quick forward dive or
reach; thrust
lurid :: wild; sensational; graphic;
gruesome

manifest :: evident; visible; obvious

manifestation :: outward demonstration;
indication
manifesto :: declaration; statement of
policy

meander :: wind or turn in its course

meddlesome :: interfering

medium (2) :: appropriate occupation or

means of expression; channel of
communication; compromise
medley :: mixture

meek :: submissive; patient and longsuffering

mirage :: unreal reflection; optical illusion

monotony :: sameness leading to boredom

mire :: entangle; stick in swampy ground

monumental :: massive

mirth :: merriment; laughter

moodiness :: fits of depression or gloom

melancholy :: gloomy; morose; blue

misadventure :: mischance; ill luck

moratorium :: legal delay of payment

melee :: fight

misanthrope :: one who hates mankind

mellifluous :: sweetly or smoothly flowing;

melodious

misapprehension :: error;
misunderstanding

morbid :: given to unwholesome thought;

moody; characteristic of disease

memento :: token; reminder

miscellany :: mixture of writings on

various subjects

mores :: conventions; moral standards;

customs

mischance :: ill luck

moribund :: dying

misconstrue :: interpret incorrectly;

misjudge

morose :: ill-humored; sullen; melancholy

mendacious :: lying; habitually dishonest

mendicant :: beggar

miscreant :: wretch; villain

menial :: suitable for servants; lowly;

mean

misdemeanor :: minor crime

megalomania :: mania for doing grandiose

things

memorialize :: commemorate
menagerie :: collection of wild animals

mentor :: counselor; teacher

mercantile :: concerning trade
mercenary :: motivated solely by money
or gain
mercurial :: capricious; changing; fickle
meretricious :: flashy; tawdry
merger :: combination (of two business
corporations)

miserly :: stingy; mean

misgivings :: doubts
mishap :: accident
misnomer :: wrong name; incorrect
designation

31 wordlist

mordant :: biting; sarcastic; stinging

mortician :: undertaker
mortify :: humiliate; punish the flesh
mosaic :: picture made of small, colorful
inlaid tiles
mote :: a speck of dust or other tiny
particle
motif :: theme
motility :: ability to move spontaneously
motley :: multicolored; mixed

misogamy :: hatred of marriage

mottled :: blotched in coloring; spotted

misogynist :: hater of women

mountebank :: charlatan; boastful

pretender

mesmerize :: hypnotize

missile :: object to be thrown or projected

metallurgical :: pertaining to the art of

removing metals from ores

missive :: letter

muddle :: confuse; mix up

muggy :: warm and damp

metamorphosis :: change of form

mite :: very small object or creature;

*small coin*

metaphor :: implied comparison

mitigate :: appease; moderate

multifarious :: varied; greatly diversified

metaphysical :: pertaining to speculative

philosophy

mnemonic :: pertaining to memory

multiform :: having many forms

mulct :: defraud a person of something

mobile :: movable; not fixed

multilingual :: having many languages

mete :: (v.)to measure; to distribute 2)

(n.) a boundry mark or line

mock :: ridicule; imitate, often in derision

multiplicity :: state of being numerous

meteoric :: swift; momentarily brilliant

mode :: prevailing style; manner; way of

doing something

mundane :: worldly as opposed to

spiritual; everyday

methodical :: systematic

modicum :: limited quantity

munificent :: very generous

meticulous :: excessively careful;

painstaking; scrupulous

modish :: fashionable

mural :: wall painting

metropolis :: large city

modulate :: tone down in intensity;

regulate; change from one key to another

murky :: dark and gloomy; thick with fog;

vague

mogul :: powerful person

muse :: ponder

molecule :: the smallest particle (one or

more atoms) of a substance that has all
the properties of that substance

musky :: having the odor of musk

mollify :: soothe

musty :: stale; spoiled by age

migrant :: changing its habitat; wandering

mollycoddle :: pamper; indulge

excessively

mutability :: ability to change in form;

fickleness

migratory :: wandering

molt :: shed or cast off hair or feathers

muted :: silent; muffled; toned down

milieu :: environment; means of

expression

molten :: melted

mutilate :: to cut off or damage a limb or

other important part of (a person or
animal); maim

mettle :: courage; spirit

miasma :: swamp gas; heavy, vaporous
atmosphere, often emanating from
decaying matter; pervasive corrupting
influence.
microcosm :: small world; the world in
miniature

militant :: combative; bellicose

momentous :: very important

militate :: work against

momentum :: quantity of motion of a

moving body; impetus

millennium :: thousand-year period;

period of happiness and prosperity

monarchy :: government under a single

ruler

mimicry :: imitation

monastery :: residence of community,

usually of monks

minatory :: menacing; threatening

mincing :: affectedly dainty
minion :: a servile dependent
miniscule :: extremely small
minute :: extremely small
minutiae :: petty details

monastic :: related to monks or

monasteries; removed from worldly
concerns
monetary :: pertaining to money
monochromatic :: having only one color
monolithic :: solidly uniform; unyielding
monotheism :: belief in God

muster :: gather; assemble

mutinous :: unruly; rebellious

myopic (n.->)myopia :: nearsighted;
lacking foresight
myriad :: very large number
nadir :: lowest point
naivet :: quality of being unsophisticated;
simplicity; artlessness; gullibility
narcissist :: conceited person
narrative :: related to telling a story
nascent :: incipient; coming into being

32 wordlist

notoriety :: disrepute; ill fame

natation :: swimming

novelty :: something new; newness

natty :: neatly or smartly dressed

novice :: beginner

nauseate :: cause to become sick; fill with

disgust

noxious :: harmful

navigable :: wide and deep enough to

allow ships to pass through; able to be
steered

nubile :: marriageable: said of a young

woman who seems mature; sexually
attractive: said of a young woman

nebulous :: vague; hazy; cloudy

nugatory :: futile; worthless

necromancy :: black magic; dealings with

the dead

nullify :: to make invalid

nuancet :: shade of difference in meaning

nautical :: pertaining to ships or navigation or color; subtle distinction

nefarious :: very wicked

negate :: cancel out; nullify; deny
negligence :: neglect; failure to take
reasonable care

numismatist :: person who collects coins

nuptial :: related to marriage
nurture :: nourish; educate; foster
nutrient :: nourishing substance

oculist :: physician who specializes in

treatment of the eyes
odious :: hateful; vile
odium :: detestation; hatefulness;
disrepute
odoriferous :: giving off an odor
odorous :: having an odor
odyssey :: long, eventful journey
offensive :: attacking; insulting; distasteful
offhand :: casual; done without prior
thought
officious :: meddlesome; excessively
pushy in offering one's services
ogle :: look at amorously; make eyes at
olfactory :: concerning the sense of smell

oaf :: stupid, awkward person

oligarchy :: government by a privileged

few

obdurate :: stubborn

ominous :: threatening

obeisance :: bow

omnipotent :: all-powerful

obelisk :: tall column tapering and ending

in a pyramid

omnipresent :: universally present;

ubiquitous

obese :: excessively fat

omniscient :: all-knowing

nether :: lower

obfuscate :: confuse; muddle; cause

confusion; make needlessly complex

omnivorous :: eating both plant and

animal food; devouring everything

nettle :: annoy; vex

obituary :: death notice

onerous :: burdensome

nexus :: connection

objective (adj.) :: not influenced by

emotions; fair

onomatopoeia :: words formed in imitation

of natural sounds

objective (n) :: goal; aim

onslaught :: fierce attack; vicious assault

obligatory :: binding; required

onus :: burden; responsibility

negligible :: so small, trifling, or

unimportant as to be easily disregarded
nemesis :: someone seeking revenge
neologism :: new or newly coined word or
phrase
neophyte :: recent convert; beginner
nepotism :: favoritism (to a relative)

nib :: beak; pen point

nicety :: precision; minute distinction
niggardly :: meanly stingy; parsimonious
niggle :: spend too much time on minor
points; carp
nihilist :: one who considers traditional
beliefs to be groundless and existence
meaningless; absolute skeptic;
revolutionary terrorist
nip :: stop something's growth or
development; snip off; bite; make numb
with cold

oblique :: indirect; slanting (deviating from opalescent :: iridescent; lustrous

the perpendicular or from a straight line)
opaque :: dark; not transparent
obliterate :: destroy completely
opiate :: medicine to induce sleep or
oblivion :: obscurity; forgetfulness
deaden pain; something that relieves
emotions or causes inaction
oblivious :: inattentive or unmindful;
wholly absorbed
opportune :: timely; well-chosen
obloquy :: slander; disgrace; infamy
obnoxious :: offensive

opportunist :: individual who sacrifices

principles for expediency by taking
advantage of circumstances

nirvana :: in Buddhist teachings, the ideal

state in which the individual loses himself
in the attainment of an impersonal
beatitude

obscure :: darken; make unclear

opprobrium :: infamy, vilification

obsequious :: slavishly attentive; servile;

sycophantic

optician :: maker and seller of eyeglasses

nocturnal :: done at night

obsequy :: funeral ceremony

optimist :: person who looks on the bright

side

noisome :: 1) foul-smelling; unwholesome

2) injurious to health; harmful

obsessive :: related to thinking about

something constantly; preoccupying

optimum :: most favorable

nomadic :: wandering

obsidian :: black volcanic rock

optional :: not compulsory; left to one's

choice

nomenclature :: terminology; system of

names
nominal :: in name only; trifling
nonchalance :: indifference; lack of
concern; composure
noncommittal :: neutral; unpledged;
undecided
nondescript :: undistinctive; ordinary

33 wordlist
obsolete :: outmoded
obstetrician :: physician specializing in
delivery of babies
obstinate :: stubborn; hard to control or
treat
obstreperous :: boisterous; noisy

optometrist :: one who fits glasses to

remedy visual defects
opulence :: extreme wealth;
luxuriousness; abundance
opus :: work
oracular :: prophetic; uttered as if with
divine authority; mysterious or ambiguous
orator :: public speaker

nonentity :: person of no importance;

nonexistence

obtrude :: push (oneself or one's ideas)

forward or intrude; butt in; stick out or
extrude

nonplus :: bring to halt by confusion;

perplex

obtuse :: blunt; stupid

ordain :: decree or command; grant holy

orders; predestine

obviate :: make unnecessary; get rid of

ordeal :: severe trial or affliction

Occident :: the West

ordinance :: decree

nostrum :: questionable medicine

occlude :: shut; close

notable :: conspicuous; important;

distinguished

occult :: mysterious; secret; supernatural

ordination :: ceremony conferring holy

orders

nostalgia :: homesickness; longing for the

past

oratorio :: dramatic poem set to music

orgy :: wild, drunken revelry; unrestrained

indulgence
orient :: get one's bearings; adjust

palpable :: tangible; easily perceptible

partition :: divide into parts

palpitate :: throb; flutter

pass :: old-fashioned; past the prime

paltry :: insignificant; petty; trifling

orientation :: act of finding oneself in

society

passive :: not active; acted upon

pan :: criticize harshly

orifice :: mouthlike opening; small opening

panacea :: cure-all; remedy for all

diseases

pastiche :: imitation of another's style in

musical composition or in writing

ornate :: excessively or elaborately

decorated

panache :: flair; flamboyance

ornithologist :: scientific student of birds

pandemic :: widespread; affecting the

majority of people

orthodox :: traditional; conservative in

belief

pandemonium :: wild tumult

orthography :: correct spelling

pander :: cater to the low desires of others

oscillate :: vibrate pendulumlike; waver

panegyric :: formal praise

osseous :: made of bone; bony

panoramic :: denoting an unobstructed

and comprehensive view

ossify :: change or harden into bone

ostensible :: apparent; professed;
pretended
ostentatious :: showy; pretentious; trying
to attract attention
ostracize :: exclude from public favor; ban
oust :: expel; drive out
outlandish :: bizarre; peculiar;
unconventional
outmoded :: no longer stylish; old
fashioned

pantomime :: acting without dialogue

papyrus :: ancient paper made from stem
of p---s plant
parable :: short, simple story teaching a
moral
paradigm :: model; example; pattern
paradox :: something apparently
contradictory in nature; statement that
looks false but is actually correct
paragon :: model of perfection

pastoral :: rural
patent :: open for the public to read;
obvious
pathetic :: causing sadness, compassion,
pity; touching
pathological :: pertaining to disease
pathos :: tender sorrow; pity; quality in
art or literature that produces these
feelings
patina :: green crust on old bronze works;
tone slowly taken by varnished painting
patois :: local or provincial dialect
patriarch :: father and ruler of a family or
tribe
patrician :: noble; aristocratic
patronize :: support; act superior toward;
be a customer of
paucity :: scarcity
pauper :: very poor person
peccadillo :: slight offense

outskirts :: fringes; outer borders

parallelism :: state of being parallel;

similarity

outspoken :: candid; blunt

parameter :: limit; independent values

pecuniary :: pertaining to money

outstrip :: surpass; outdo

paramount :: foremost in importance;

supreme

pedagogue :: teacher

outwit :: outsmart; trick

ovation :: enthusiastic applause
overbearing :: bossy; arrogant; decisively
important
overt :: open to view
overweening :: presumptuous; arrogant

34 wordlist
overwrought :: extremely agitated;
hysterical
ovoid :: egg-shaped
pachyderm :: thick-skinned animal
pacifist :: one opposed to force;
antimilitarist
pacify :: soothe; make calm or quiet;
subdue

paramour :: illicit lover

paranoia (n & adj. ->) paranoid, paranoiac
:: psychosis marked by delusions of
grandeur or persecution; abnormal
tendency to suspect and mistrust others
paraphernalia :: equipment; odds and
ends
paraphrase :: restate a passage in one's
own words while retaining thought of
author
parasite :: animal or plant living on
another; toady; sycophant
parched :: extremely dry; very thirsty
pariah :: social outcast
parity :: equality; close resemblance
parlance :: language; idiom

paean :: song of praise or joy

parley :: conference

painstaking :: showing hard work; taking

great care

parochial :: narrow in outlook; provincial;

related to parishes

palatable :: agreeable; pleasing to the

taste

parody :: humorous imitation; spoof;

takeoff; travesty

palate :: roof of the mouth; sense of taste

paroxysm :: fit or attack of pain, laughter,

rage

palatial :: *magnificent*
paleontology :: study of prehistoric life

parquet :: floor made of wood strips inlaid

in a mosaic like pattern

palette :: board on which a painter mixes

pigments

parry :: ward off a blow; deflect; avoid (a

question, etc.)

palimpsest :: parchment used for second

time after original writing has been erased
pall :: grow tiresome
pallet :: small, poor bed
palliate :: ease pain; make less severe or
offensive
pallid :: pale; wan

parsimony :: stinginess; excessive

frugality
partial :: incomplete; having a liking for
something
partiality :: inclination; bias
partisan :: one-sided; prejudiced;
committed to a party

35 wordlist

pedagogy :: teaching; art of education

pedant :: scholar who overemphasizes
book learning or technicalities
pedantic :: showing off learning; bookish
pedestrian :: ordinary; unimaginative
pediatrician :: physician specializing in
children's diseases
peerless :: having no equal; incomparable
pejorative :: negative in connotation;
having a belittling effect
pell-mell :: in confusion; disorderly
pellucid :: transparent; limpid; easy to
understand
penance :: self-imposed punishment for
sin
penchant :: strong inclination; liking
pendant (adj.) :: hanging down from
something
pendant (n) :: ornament (hanging from a
necklace, etc.)
pendulous :: hanging; suspended
penitent :: repentant (anto.) unremorseful,
imp----t
pensive :: dreamily thoughtful; thoughtful
with a hint of sadness; contemplative
penumbra :: partial shadow (in an eclipse)
penury :: severe poverty; stinginess
peon :: landless agricultural worker; bond
servant
perceptive :: insightful; aware; wise
percussion :: striking one object against
another sharply

perdition :: damnation; complete ruin

peregrination :: journey
peremptory :: demanding and leaving no
choice

36 wordlist
philanthropist :: lover of mankind; doer of
good

plebeian :: common; pertaining to the

common people
plenary :: *complete; full*

philatelist :: stamp-collector

plenitude :: abundance; completeness

plethora :: excess; overabundance

perfidious :: treacherous; disloyal

philistine :: narrow-minded person,

uncultured and exclusively interested in
material gain

perforate :: pierce; put a hole through

philology :: study of language

pliant :: flexible; easily influenced

perfunctory :: superficial; not thorough;

*lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm*

phlegmatic :: calm; not easily disturbed

plight :: condition, state (especially a bad

state or condition); predicament

perennial :: something long-lasting

perigee :: point of moon's orbit when it is

nearest the earth
perimeter :: outer boundary
peripatetic :: walking about; moving
peripheral :: marginal; outer
periphery :: edge, especially of a round
surface

phobia :: morbid fear

phoenix :: symbol of immortality or rebirth

pliable :: flexible; yielding; adaptable

pluck :: courage
plumage :: feathers of a bird

phylum :: major classification, second to

kingdom, of plants and animals; division

plumb (adj.) :: vertical

physiognomy :: face

plumb (v) :: examine critically in order to

understand; measure depth (by sounding)

physiological :: pertaining to the science of

the function of living organisms

plummet :: fall sharply

plutocracy :: society ruled by the wealthy

perjury :: false testimony while under oath

piebald :: different colors; mottled;

spotted

permeable :: penetrable; porous; allowing

liquids or gas to pass through

piecemeal :: one part at a time; gradually

podiatrist :: doctor who treats ailments of

the feet

pied :: variegated; multicolored

podium :: pedestal; raised platform

peroration :: conclusion of an oration

piety (<-n) (adj.->) pious :: devoutness;

reverence for God

poignancy :: quality of being deeply

moving; keenness of emotion

perpetrate :: commit an offense

pigment :: coloring mater

perpetual :: everlasting

polarize :: divide into two opposing group;

split into opposite extremes or camps

pillage :: plunder

perpetuate :: make something last;

preserve from extinction

pillory :: punish by placing in a wooden

frame; subject to criticism and ridicule

perquisite :: any gain above stipulated

salary

pine :: 1) languish, decline due to pain,

longing ,etc.; 2) long for, yearn

personable :: attractive

pinion :: restrain

perspicacious :: having insight;

penetrating; astute

pinnacle :: peak

pernicious :: very destructive

perspicuity :: clearness of expression;

freedom from ambiguity
perspicuous :: plainly expressed
pert :: bold or impudent in speech or
behavior; impertinent; forward

pious :: devout; religious

piquant :: pleasantly tart-tasting;
stimulating
pique (n) :: irritation; resentment
pique (v) :: provoke or arouse; annoy

pertinacious :: stubborn; persistent

pitfall :: hidden danger; concealed trap

pertinent :: suitable; to the point

pith :: core or marrow; essence;

substance

perturb :: disturb greatly

peruse :: read with care

pithy :: concise; meaningful; substantial;

meaty

pervasive :: spread throughout

pittance :: a small allowance or wage

perverse :: stubbornly wrongheaded;

wicked and unacceptable

pivotal :: central; critical

placate :: pacify; conciliate

perversion :: corruption; turning from right

to wrong
placebo :: harmless substance prescribed
as a dummy pill
pessimism :: belief that life is basically bad
or evil; gloominess
placid :: peaceful; calm
pestilential :: causing plague; baneful
pestle :: tool for mashing or grinding
substances in a hard bowl
petrify :: paralyse with terror or
astonishment; turn to stone
petty :: trivial; unimportant; very small
petulant :: touchy; peevish
pharisaical :: pertaining to the Pharisees,
who paid scrupulous attention to tradition;
self-righteous; hypocritical
phenomena :: observable facts; subjects
of scientific investigation
philanderer :: faithless lover; flirt

plagiarize :: steal another's ideas and pass

them off as one's own

polemic :: controversial; argument in

support or point of view
polemical :: aggressive in verbal attack;
disputatious
politic :: expedient; prudent; well devised
polity :: form of government of nation or
state
polygamist :: one who has more than one
spouse at a time
polyglot :: speaking several languages
pomposity :: self-important behavior;
acting like a stuffed shirt
pompous :: showing self-importance
ponderous :: weighty; unwieldy
pontifical :: pertaining to a bishop or pope;
*pompous or pretentious*
pore :: study industriously; ponder;
scrutinize
porous :: full of pores; like a sieve
portend :: foretell; presage
portent :: sign; omen; forewarning
portly :: stout; corpulent
poseur :: person who pretends to be
sophisticated, elegant, etc., to impress
others

plaintive :: mournful

posterity :: descendants; future

generations

plait :: braid( <- to interweave three or

more strands of (hair, straw, etc.);
intertwine

posthumous :: after death (as of child born

after father's death or book published after
author's death)

plasticity :: ability to be molded

postulate :: self-evident truth

platitude :: trite remark; commonplace

statement

posture :: assume an affected pose; act

artificially

platonic :: purely spiritual; theoretical;

without sensual desire

potable :: suitable for drinking

plaudit :: enthusiastic approval; round of

applause
plausible :: having a show of truth but
open to doubt; specious

potent :: powerful; persuasive; greatly

influential
potentate :: monarch; sovereign
potential :: expressing possibility; latent

potion :: dose (of liquid)

potpourri :: heterogeneous mixture;
medley

preponderance :: superiority of power,

quantity, etc.

proletarian :: member of the working

class; blue collar guy

preposterous :: absurd; ridiculous

proliferate :: grow rapidly; spread;

multiply

poultice :: soothing application applied to

sore and inflamed portions of the body

prerogative :: privilege; unquestionable

right

practicable :: feasible

presage :: foretell

prolixity :: tedious wordiness; verbosity

practical :: based on experience; useful

prescience :: ability to foretell the future

pragmatic :: practical (as opposed to

idealistic); concerned with the practical
worth or impact of some thing

presentiment :: feeling something will

happen; anticipatory fear; premonition

prologue :: introduction (to a poem or

play)

prolific :: abundantly fruitful

prolong :: extend; draw out; lengthen

pragmatist :: practical person

prestige :: impression produced by

achievements or reputation

prominent :: conspicuous; notable;

protruding

prate :: speak foolishly; boast idly

presumptuous :: arrogant; taking liberties

prattle :: babble

pretentious :: ostentatious; pompous;

making unjustified claims; overambitious

promiscuous :: mixed indiscriminately;

haphazard; irregular sexually

preamble :: introductory statement

precarious :: uncertain; risky

preternatural :: beyond that which is

normal in nature

precedent (adj.) :: preceding in time,

rank, etc.

pretext :: excuse

precedent (n) :: something preceding in

time that may be used as an authority or
guide for future action; an earlier
occurrence

37 wordlist
precept :: practical rule guiding conduct
precipice :: cliff; dangerous position
precipitant :: something that causes a
substance in a chemical solution to
separate out in solid form
precipitate :: rash; premature; hasty;
sudden
precipitous :: steep; overhasty
prcis :: concise summing up of main
points
preclude :: make impossible; eliminate
precocious :: advanced in development
precursor :: forerunner

promontory :: headland i.e. high land

jutting out into sea
promote :: help to flourish; advance in
rank; publicize

prevail :: induce; triumph over

prompt :: cause; provoke; provide a cue

for an actor

prevalent :: widespread; generally

accepted

promulgate :: proclaim a doctrine or law;

make known to be official publication

prevaricate :: lie

prone :: inclined to; *prostrate*

prey :: target of a hunt; victim

propagate :: multiply; spread

prim :: very precise and formal;

exceedingly proper

propellant :: substance that propels or

drives forward

primogeniture :: seniority by birth

propensity :: natural inclination

primordial :: existing at the beginning (of

time); rudimentary; primeval

prophetic :: having to do with predicting

the future

primp :: groom oneself with care; adorn

oneself

prophylactic :: used to prevent disease

pristine :: characteristic of earlier times;

primitive, unspoiled
privation :: hardship; want
privy :: secret; hidden; not public
probe :: explore with tools

propinquity :: nearness; kinship

propitiate :: appease

38 wordlist
propitious :: favorable; fortunate;
advantageous

probity :: uprightness; incorruptibility

predator :: creature that seizes and

devours another animal; person who robs
or exploits others

proponent :: supporter; backer; opposite

of opponent

problematic :: doubtful; unsettled;

questionable; perplexing

propound :: put forth for analysis

predecessor :: former occupant of a post

proclivity :: inclination; natural tendency

predetermine :: predestine; settle or

decide beforehand; influence markedly

procrastinate :: postpone; delay or put off

predicament :: tricky or dangerous

situation; dilemma
predilection :: partiality; preference
predispose :: give an inclination toward;
make susceptible to
preeminent :: outstanding; superior
preempt :: head off; forestall by acting
first; appropriate for oneself; supplant
preen :: make oneself tidy in appearance;
feel self-satisfaction
prefatory :: introductory
prehensile :: capable of grasping or
holding

procurement :: obtaining
prod :: poke; stir up; urge
prodigal :: wasteful; reckless with money
prodigious :: marvelous; enormous

proscribe :: ostracize; banish; outlaw

prosody :: the art of versification

profligate :: dissipated; wasteful; wildly

immoral
profound :: deep; not superficial; complete
profusion :: overabundance; lavish
expenditure; excess
progenitor :: ancestor

prognosis :: forecasted course of a

disease; prediction

premonitory :: serving to warn

proscenium :: part of stage in front of

curtain

profane :: violate; desecrate; treat

unworthily

progeny :: children; offspring

premonition :: forewarning

prosaic :: dull and unimaginative; matterof-fact; factual

proselytize :: induce someone to convert

to a religion or belief

prelude :: introduction; forerunner

premise :: assumption; postulate

propulsive :: driving forward

prodigy :: highly gifted child; marvel

prelate :: church dignitary

premeditate :: plan in advance

propriety :: fitness; correct conduct

prognosticate :: predict
prohibitive :: tending to prevent the
purchase or use of something; inclined to
prevent or forbid
projectile :: missile

prosperity :: good fortune; financial

success; physical well-being
prostrate :: stretch out full on ground
protean :: versatile; able to take on many
forms
protg :: person receiving protection and
support from a patron
protocol :: diplomatic etiquette
prototype :: original work used as a model
by others
protract :: prolong
protrude :: stick out
protuberance :: protrusion; bulge

provenance :: origin or source of

something
provender :: dry food; fodder
provident :: displaying foresight; thrifty;
preparing for emergencies
provincial :: pertaining to a province;
limited in out-look; unsophisticated
provisional :: tentative
proviso :: stipulation
provocative :: arousing anger or interest;
annoying
prowess :: extraordinary ability; military
bravery
proximity :: nearness
proxy :: authorized agent
prude :: excessively modest or proper
person
prudent :: cautious; careful
prune :: cut away; trim
prurient :: having or causing lustful
thoughts and desires
pry :: 1) inquire impertinently; 2) use
leverage to raise or open something
pseudonym :: pen name
psyche :: soul; mind
psychiatrist :: a doctor who treats mental
diseases
psychopathic :: pertaining to mental
derangement
psychosis :: mental disorder
pterodactyl :: extinct flying reptile
puerile :: childish

pusillanimous :: cowardly; fainthearted

raiment :: clothing

putative :: supposed; reputed (<supposed)

rakish :: stylish; sporty

putrid :: foul; rotten; decayed

pylon :: marking post to guide aviators;
steel tower supporting cables or telephone
lines
pyromaniac :: person with an insane
desire to set things on fire
quack :: charlatan; impostor
quadruped :: four-footed animal
quaff :: drink with relish

pulverize :: crush or grind into very small

particles
pummel :: beat or pound with fists
punctilious :: very careful about every
detail of behavior, ceremony, etc.
pundit :: authority on a subject; learned
person; expert

ramp :: slope; inclined plane

rampant :: growing in profusion;
unrestrained

rancor :: bitterness; hatred

quaint :: unfamiliar or old-fashioned;

daintily odd; picturesque

random :: without definite purpose, plan,

or aim; haphazard

qualified :: limited; restricted

rankle :: cause persistent annoyance or

pain or resentment; irritate; fester

qualms :: misgivings; uneasy fears,

especially about matters of conscience
quandary :: dilemma
quarantine :: isolation of a person, place,
or ship to prevent spread of infection
quarry (n) :: victim; object of a hunt
quarry (v) :: dig into

39 wordlist
quash :: subdue; crush; squash
quay ( ki: ) :: dock; landing place
queasy :: easily nauseated; squeamish
quell :: extinguish; put down; quiet

querulous :: fretful; whining

pulsate :: throb

ramify :: divide into branches or

subdivisions

quail :: cower; lose heart

pugnacity :: combativeness; disposition to

fight

pulmonary :: pertaining to the lungs

ramification :: branching out; subdivision

rampart :: defensive mound of earth

quench :: douse or extinguish; assuage or

satisfy

pulchritude :: beauty; comeliness

ramble :: wander aimlessly (physically or

mentally)

quagmire :: soft, wet boggy land; complex

or dangerous situation from which is
difficult to free oneself

pugilist :: boxer

puissant :: powerful; strong; potent

rally :: call up or summon (forces, vital

powers etc.); * revive or recuperate *

query :: inquiry; question

queue :: line
quibble :: minor objection or complaint;
*evasion*
quiescent :: at rest; dormant; temporarily
inactive

rancid :: having the odor or stale fat

rant :: rave; talk excitedly; scold; make a

grandiloquent speech
rapacious :: excessively grasping;
plundering
rapport :: emotional closeness; harmony
rapt :: absorbed; enchanted
rarefied :: made less dense [of a gas]
raspy :: grating; harsh
ratify :: approve formally; confirm; verify
ratiocination :: reasoning; act or drawing
conclusions from premises
rationale :: fundamental reason or
justification; grounds for an action
rationalize :: give a plausible reason for an
action in place of a true, less admirable
one; offer an excuse
raucous :: harsh and shrill; disorderly and
boisterous
ravage :: plunder; despoil
rave :: to talk incoherently or wildly, as in
a delirious or demented state;
overwhelmingly favorable review

quietude :: tranquility

ravel :: fall apart into tangles; unravel or

untwist; entangle

quintessence :: purest and highest

embodiment

ravenous :: extremely hungry

quip :: taunt
quirk :: startling twist; caprice

ravine :: narrow valley with steep sides

raze :: destroy completely

quisling :: traitor who aids invaders

reactionary :: opposing progress;

politically ultraconservative

quiver (n) :: case for arrows

realm :: kingdom; field or sphere

punitive :: punishing

quiver (v) :: tremble; shake

reaper :: one who harvests grain

puny :: insignificant; tiny; weak

quixotic :: idealistic but impractical

rebate :: discount

purchase :: firm grasp or footing

quizzical :: teasing; bantering; mocking;

curious

rebuff :: snub; beat back

pungent :: stinging; sharp in taste or

smell; caustic

purgatory :: place of spiritual expiation

purge :: remove or get rid of something
unwanted; free from blame or guilt;
cleanse or purify
purport :: intention; meaning
purported :: alleged; claimed; reputed or
rumored
purse :: pucker; contract into wrinkles
purveyor :: supplier; furnisher of
foodstuffs; caterer

quorum :: number of members necessary

to conduct a meeting
quotidian :: daily; commonplace;
customary
rabid :: like a fanatic; furious

rebuke :: scold harshly; criticize severely

rebus :: puzzle in which pictures stand for
words
rebuttal :: refutation; response with
contrary evidence

raconteur :: story-teller

recalcitrant :: obstinately stubborn;

determined to resist authority; unruly

ragamuffin :: person wearing tattered

clothes

recant :: disclaim or disavow; retract a

previous statement; openly confess error

rail :: scold; rant

recapitulate :: summarize

rejoinder :: retort; comeback; reply

reprieve :: temporary stay

recast :: reconstruct (a sentence, story,

etc.); fashion again

rejuvenate :: make young again

reprimand :: official rebuke; reprove

relegate :: banish to an inferior position;

delegate; assign

reprisal :: retaliation

receptive :: quick or willing to receive

ideas, suggestions, etc
recession :: withdrawal; retreat; time of
low economic activity
recidivism :: habitual return to crime
recipient :: receiver
reciprocal :: mutual; exchangeable;
interacting
reciprocate :: repay in kind
recluse :: hermit; loner
reconcile :: correct inconsistencies;
become friendly after a quarrel

relent :: give in; yield

reprise :: musical repetition; repeat

performance; recurrent action

relevant :: pertinent; referring to the case

in hand

reproach :: express disapproval or

disappointment

relic :: surviving remnant; memento

reprobate :: unprincipled or immoral

person

relinquish :: give up something with

reluctance yield

reprobation :: severe disapproval

relish :: savor; enjoy

reprove :: censure; rebuke

remediable :: reparable

repudiate :: to refuse to have anything to

do with; disown; disavow

reminiscence :: recollection; account of

things remembered, esp. in literary form

repugnance :: loathing

remiss :: negligent

repulsion :: distaste; act of driving back

reconnaissance :: survey of enemy by

soldiers; reconnoitering

remission :: temporary moderation of

disease symptoms; cancellation of a debt;
forgiveness or pardon

reputable :: respectable

recount :: narrate or tell; count over again

remnant :: remainder

Requiem :: mass for the dead; dirge

recourse :: resorting to help when in

trouble

remonstrance :: protest; objection

requisite :: necessary requirement

remorse :: guilt; self-reproach

requite :: to make return or repayment for

(a benefit, service, etc., or an injury,
wrong, etc.); revenge

recondite :: abstruse; profound; secret

recrimination :: countercharges
rectify :: set right; correct
rectitude :: uprightness; moral virtue;
correctness of judgment
recumbent :: reclining; lying down
completely or in part
recuperate :: recover
recurrent :: occurring again and again

40 wordlist

remunerative :: compensating; rewarding

rend :: split tear apart

rescind :: cancel

rendezvous :: meeting place

resentment :: indignation; bitterness;

displeasure

rendition :: translation; artistic

interpretation of a song, etc.
renegade :: deserter of party or
principles; traitor
renege :: deny; go back on
renounce :: abandon; disown; repudiate

redoubtable :: formidable; causing fear

renovate :: restore to good condition;

renew
renown :: fame

redundant :: superfluous; repetitious;

excessively wordy

rent :: rip; split

reek :: emit (odor)

reparable :: capable of being repaired

refectory :: dining hall

reparation :: amends; compensation

refraction :: bending of a ray of light

repartee :: clever reply

refractory :: stubborn; unmanageable

repast :: meal; feast; banquet

refrain :: (v) abstain from; resist *(n->)

chorus *

repeal :: revoke; annul; cancel

refulgent :: brightly shining; gleaming

refurbish :: renovate; make bright by
polishing
refute :: disprove
regal :: royal
regale :: entertain

41 wordlist

render :: deliver; provide; represent

redolent :: fragrant; odorous; suggestive

of an odor

redress :: remedy; compensation

reputed :: supposed

repel :: drive away; disgust

repellent :: driving away; unattractive
repent :: feel sorrow or regret for what
one has done or left undone; think with
regret or contrition of
repercussion :: rebound; reverberation;
reaction

reserve :: self-control; formal but distant

manner
residue :: remainder; balance
resignation :: patient submissiveness;
statement that one is quitting a job
resilient :: elastic; having the power of
springing back
resolution :: determination
resolve :: determination; firmness of
purpose
resonant :: echoing; resounding; deep and
full in sound
respiration :: breathing; exhalation
respite :: interval of relief; time for rest;
delay in punishment
resplendent :: dazzling; glorious; brilliant
responsiveness :: state of reacting readily
to appeals, orders, etc.
restitution :: reparation; indemnification
restive :: restlessly impatient; obstinately
resisting control
restraint :: moderation or self-control;
controlling force; restriction

regatta :: boat or yacht race

repertoire :: list of works of music, drama,

etc., a performer is prepared to present

regeneration :: spiritual rebirth

repine :: fret; complain

regicide :: murder of a king or queen

replenish :: fill up again

regime :: method or system of

government

replete :: filled to the brim or to the point

of being stuffed; abundantly supplied

retain :: keep; employ

regimen :: a regulated system of diet,

exercise, etc. for therapy or the
maintenance or improvement of health

replica :: copy

retaliation :: repayment in kind (usually

for bad treatment)

rehabilitate :: restore to proper condition

repository :: storehouse

reimburse :: repay

reprehensible :: deserving blame

reiterate :: repeat

repress :: keep under; put down; suppress

replicate :: reproduce; duplicate

resumption :: taking up again;

recommencement
resurge :: rise again; flow to and fro
resuscitate :: revive

retentive :: holding; having a good

memory
reticent :: reserved; uncommunicative;
inclined to silence
retinue :: following; attendants

retiring :: modest; shy

retort :: quick, sharp reply
retract :: withdraw; take back
retrench :: cut down; economize
retribution :: vengeance; compensation;
punishment for offenses
retrieve :: recover; find and bring in
retroactive :: taking effect before its
enactment (as a law) or imposition (as a
tax)

rudimentary :: not developed; elementary; satyr :: half-human, half-bestial being in

the court of Dionysus, portrayed as wanton
crude
and cunning; a lustful or lecherous man
rue :: regret; lament; mourn
saunter :: stroll slowly
ruffian :: bully; scoundrel; a brutal,
savant :: scholar
violent, lawless person; tough or hoodlum
ruminate :: chew over and over (mentally
or, like cows, physically); mull over;
*ponder*
rummage :: ransack; thoroughly search
runic :: mysterious; set down in a ancient
alphabet

retrograde :: go backwards; degenerate

ruse :: trick; stratagem

retrospective :: looking back on the past

rustic :: pertaining to country people;

uncouth

revelry :: boisterous merrymaking

savor :: enjoy; have a distinctive flavor,

smell, or quality
savory :: tasty; pleasing, attractive, or
agreeable
scabbard :: case for a sword blade; sheath
scad :: a great quantity
scaffold :: temporary platform for workers;
bracing framework; platform for execution
scale :: climb up; ascend

reverberate :: echo; resound

rusticate :: banish to the country; dwell in

the country

scanty :: meager; insufficient

reverent :: respect; worshipful

ruthless :: pitiless; cruel

reverie :: daydream; musing

scapegoat :: someone who bears the

blame for others

saboteur :: one who commits sabotage;

destroyer of property

revert :: relapse; backslide; turn back to

revile :: attack with abusive language;
vilify
revoke :: cancel; retract

saccharine :: cloyingly sweet

sacrilegious :: desecrating; profane
sacrosanct :: most sacred; inviolable

revulsion :: sudden violent change of

feeling; negative reaction

42 wordlist

scavenge :: hunt through discarded

materials for usable items; search,
especially for food
scenario :: plot outline; screenplay; opera
libretto
schematic :: relating to an outline or
diagram; using a system of symbols

sadistic :: inclined to cruelty

schism :: division; split

saga :: Scandinavian myth; any legend

scintilla :: shred; least bit

rhetoric :: art of effective communication;

insincere or grandiloquent language

sagacious :: perceptive; shrewd; having

insight

scintillate :: sparkle; flash

ribald :: wanton; profane

sage :: person celebrated for wisdom

riddle :: pierce with holes; *permeate or

spread throughout*

salacious :: lascivious; lustful

rhapsodize :: to speak or write in an

exaggeratedly enthusiastic manner

rider :: amendment or clause added to a

legislative bill

salient :: prominent
saline :: salty

scoff :: mock; ridicule

scotch :: stamp out; thwart; hinder
scourge :: lash; whip; severe punishment
scruple :: 1) fret about; hesitate, for
ethical reasons 2) *a very small quantity,
amount, or part *

rife :: abundant; current

sallow :: yellowish; sickly in color

rift :: opening; break

salubrious :: healthful

scrupulous :: conscientious; extremely

thorough

rig :: fix or manipulate

salutary :: tending to improve; beneficial;

wholesome

scrutinize :: examine closely and critically

salvage :: rescue from loss

scuffle :: struggle confusedly; move off in

a confused hurry

sanctimonious :: displaying ostentatious or

hypocritical devoutness

scurrilous :: obscene; indecent

rigid :: stiff and unyielding; strict; hard

and unbending
rigor :: severity
rile :: vex; irritate; muddy
riveting :: absorbing; engrossing

sanction :: approve; ratify

scurry :: move briskly

scurvy :: despicable; contemptible

rivulet :: small stream

sanctuary :: refuge; shelter; shrine; holy

place

robust :: vigorous; strong

sanguinary :: bloody

seamy :: sordid; unwholesome

rococo :: ornate; highly decorated

sanguine :: cheerful; hopeful

sear :: char or burn; brand

roil :: to make liquids murky by stirring up

sediment; to disturb

sap :: diminish; undermine

seasoned :: experienced

roseate :: rosy; optimistic

sarcasm :: scornful remark; stinging

rebuke

secession :: withdrawal

roster :: list

sardonic :: disdainful; sarcastic; cynical

rostrum :: platform for speech-making;

pulpit

sartorial :: pertaining to tailors

secrete :: *hide away or cache*; produce

and release a substance into an organism

sate :: satisfy to the full; cloy

sect :: separate religious body; faction

satellite :: small body revolving around a

larger one

secular :: worldly; not pertaining to church

matters; temporal

satiate :: satisfy fully

sedate :: composed; grave

sedentary :: requiring sitting

rousing :: lively; stirring

satire :: form of literature in which irony,

sarcasm, and ridicule are employed to
attack vice and folly

rout :: stampede; drive out

satirical :: mocking

sedition :: the stirring up of discontent,

resistance, or rebellion against the
government in power; insubordination

rubble :: fragments

saturate :: soak thoroughly

sedulous :: diligent

rubric :: title or heading (in read print);

directions for religious ceremony; protocol

saturnine :: gloomy

seedy :: run-down; decrepit; disreputable

rote :: repetition
rotunda :: circular building or hall covered
with a dome
rotundity :: roundness; sonorousness of
speech

ruddy :: reddish; healthy-looking

scuttle :: sink

seclusion :: isolation; solitude

seemly :: proper; appropriate

seep :: ooze; trickle

sibylline :: prophetic; oracular

smirk :: conceited smile

seethe :: be disturbed; boil

sidereal :: relating to the stars

seine :: net for catching fish

silt :: sediment deposited by running water

smolder :: burn without flame; be liable to

break out at any moment

seismic :: pertaining to earthquakes

simian :: monkeylike

semblance :: outward appearance; guise

simile :: comparison of one thing with

another, using the word 'like' or 'as'

seminal :: germinal; influencing future

developments; related to seed or semen
seminary :: school for training future
ministers; secondary school, especially for
young women

simper :: smirk; smile affectedly

simplistic :: oversimplified
simulate :: feign

senility :: old age; feeblemindedness of old sinecure :: well-paid position with little
responsibility
age

snicker :: half-stifled laugh

snivel :: run at the nose; snuffle; whine
sobriety :: moderation (esp. regarding
indulgence in alcohol); seriousness
sodden :: soaked; dull, as if from drink
sojourn :: temporary stay
solace :: comfort in trouble
solder :: repair or make whole by using a
metal alloy

sensitization :: process of being made

sensitive or acutely responsive to an
external agent or substance

sinewy :: tough; strong and firm

singular :: unique; extraordinary; odd

solecism :: construction that is flagrantly

incorrect grammatically

sensual :: devoted to the pleasures of the

senses; operating through the senses

sinister :: evil

solicit :: request earnestly; seek

sinuous :: winding; bending in and out;*

not morally honest *

solicitous :: worried, concerned

sententious :: terse; concise; aphoristic

sentient :: that feels or is capable of
feeling
sentinel :: sentry; lookout
septic :: putrid; producing putrefaction
sepulcher :: tomb

43 wordlist
sequester :: isolate; retire from public life;
segregate; seclude
sere :: parched; dry
serendipity :: gift for finding valuable or
desirable things by accident; accidental
good fortune or luck
serenity :: calmness, placidity
serpentine :: winding; twisting
serrated :: having a sawtoothed edge
servile :: slavish; cringing
servitude :: slavery; compulsory labor
sever :: cut; separate
severity :: harshness; intensity;
sternness; austerity
sextant :: navigation tool used to
determine a ship's latitude and longitude
shackle :: chain; fetter
sham :: pretend
shambles :: wreck; mess; scene of great
slaughter, bloodshed, or carnage
shard :: fragment, generally of pottery

skeptic :: doubter; person who suspends

judgment until having examined the
evidence supporting a point of view

solstice :: point at which the sun is

farthest from the equator

skimp :: provide scantily; live very

economically

soluble :: able to be dissolved; able to be

worked out

skinflint :: stingy person; miser

solvent (adj.) :: able to pay all debts

skirmish :: minor fight

solvent (n) :: substance that dissolves

another

skittish :: lively; frisky

skulduggery :: dishonest behavior
skulk :: move furtively and secretly
slacken :: slow up; loosen
slag :: residue from smelting metal; dross;
waste matter

shoddy :: sham; not genuine; inferior

shrew :: scolding woman
shun :: keep away from
shunt :: turn aside; divert; sidetrack
shyster :: lawyer using questionable
methods; pettifogger
sibling :: brother or sister

somber :: gloomy; depressing

somnambulist :: sleepwalker
somnolent :: half asleep

slander :: defamation; utterance of false

and malicious statements

sophist :: teacher of philosophy; quibbler;

employer of fallacious reasoning

slapdash :: haphazard; careless; sloppy

sophisticated :: worldly wise and urbane;

complex

sleazy :: flimsy; unsubstantial

sleeper :: something originally of little
value or importance that in time becomes
very valuable
sleight :: dexterity
slew :: large quantity or number
slight :: insult to one's dignity; snub
slipshod :: untidy or slovenly; shabby
slither :: slip or slide

slothful :: lazy

shirk :: avoid (responsibility, work, etc.);

malinger

44 wordlist

sonorous :: resonant

sheaf :: bundle of stalks of grain; any

bundle of things tied together

shimmer :: glimmer intermittently

somatic :: pertaining to the body; physical

slake :: quench; sate

sloth :: slow-moving tree-dwelling

mammal

sherbet :: flavored dessert ice

solitude :: state of being alone; seclusion

skiff :: small, light sailboat or rowboat

shaving :: very thin piece, usually of wood

sheathe :: place into a case

soliloquy :: talking to oneself

slough :: cast off

slovenly :: untidy; careless in work habits
sluggard :: lazy person

sophistry :: use of false arguments,

especially one meant to deceive
soporific :: sleep-causing; marked by
sleepiness
sordid :: filthy; base; vile
spangle :: small metallic piece sewn to
clothing for ornamentation
sparse :: not thick; thinly scattered;
scanty
spartan :: lacking luxury and comfort;
sternly disciplined
spasmodic :: fitful; periodic
spat :: squabble; minor dispute
spate :: sudden flood
spatial :: relating to space

sluggish :: slow; lazy; lethargic

spatula :: broad-bladed instrument used

for spreading or mixing

sluice :: artificial channel for directing or

controlling the flow of water

spawn :: lay eggs

slur (n) :: insult to one's character or

reputation; slander
slur (v) :: speak indistinctly; mumble
smattering :: slight knowledge
smelt :: melt or blend ores, changing their
chemical composition

specious :: seemingly reasonable but

incorrect; misleading (often intentionally)
spectral :: ghostly
spectrum :: colored band produced when a
beam of light passes through a prism
spendthrift :: someone who wastes
money; wastrel; squanderer

sphinx-like :: enigmatic; mysterious

stodgy :: stuffy; boringly conservative

splice :: fasten together; unite

stoic :: impassive; unmoved by joy or grief

spontaneity :: lack of premeditation;

naturalness; freedom from constraint

stoke :: stir up a fire; feed plentifully

substantive :: essential; pertaining to the

substance

stolid :: dull; impassive

subsume :: include; encompass

stratagem :: clever trick; deceptive

scheme

subterfuge :: pretense; evasion

spoonerism :: accidental transposition of

sounds in successive words
sporadic :: occurring irregularly
sportive :: playful
spruce :: neat and trim
spry :: vigorously active; *nimble*
spurious :: false; counterfeit; forged;
illogical
spurn :: reject; scorn

stratified :: divided into classes; arranged

into strata
stratum :: layer of earth's surface; layer of
society
strew :: spread randomly; sprinkle; scatter
striated :: marked with paralleled bands;
grooved

substantiate :: establish by evidence;

verify; support

subtlety :: perceptiveness; ingenuity;

delicacy
subversive :: tending to overthrow;
destructive
succinct :: brief; terse; compact
succor :: aid; assist; comfort
succulent :: juicy; full of richness
succumb :: yield; give in; die

squabble :: minor quarrel; bickering

stricture :: critical comments; severe and

adverse criticism.

squalor :: filth; degradation; dirty,

neglected state

strident :: loud and harsh; insistent

suffragist :: advocate of voting rights (for

women)

stringent :: binding; rigid

suffuse :: spread over

strut (1) :: pompous walk

sully :: tarnish; soil

strut (2) :: supporting bar

sultry :: sweltering

studied :: unspontaneous; deliberate;

thoughtful

summation :: act of finding the total;

summary

staid :: sober; sedate

stultify :: make ineffective or useless;

reduce to foolishness or absurdity

sumptuous :: lavish; rich

stalemate :: deadlock

stupefy :: make numb; stun; amaze

stalwart :: strong, brawny; steadfast

stupor :: state of apathy; daze; lack of

awareness

squander :: waste
squat :: stocky; short and thick
staccato :: played in an abrupt manner;
marked by abrupt, sharp sound
stagnant :: motionless; stale; dull

stamina :: strength; staying power

stanch :: check flow of blood
stanza :: division of a poem
static :: unchanging; lacking development
statute :: law enacted by the legislature
statutory :: created by statute or
legislative action
steadfast :: loyal; unswerving
stealth :: slyness; sneakiness;
secretiveness
steep :: soak; saturate
stellar :: pertaining to the stars
stem :: check the flow
stem from :: arise from
stentorian :: extremely loud
stereotype :: fixed and unvarying
representation; standardized mental
picture, often reflecting prejudice
stickler :: perfectionist; person who insists
things be exactly right; *puzzling*
stifle :: suppress; extinguish; inhibit

stymie :: present an obstacle; stump

suavity :: urbanity; polish
subaltern :: subordinate
subdued :: less intense; quieter
subjective :: occurring or taking place
within the mind; unreal
subjugate :: conquer; bring under control
sublimal :: below the threshold

supercilious :: arrogant; condescending;

patronizing
supererogatory :: superfluous; more than
needed or demanded
superficial :: trivial; shallow
superfluous :: excessive; overabundant,
unnecessary
superimpose :: place over something else

sublime :: exalted; noble and uplifting;

*utter*

supersede :: cause to be set aside;

replace; make obsolete

45 wordlist

supine :: lying on back

subliminal :: below the threshold of

consciousness; too faint or rapid to be
consciously perceived

supplant :: replace; usurp

submissive :: yielding; timid

suppliant :: entreating; beseeching

subordinate :: occupying a lower rank;

inferior; submissive

supplicate :: petition humble; pray to

grant a favor

suborn :: persuade to act unlawfully

(especially to commit perjury)

supposition :: hypothesis; surmise

stilted :: bombastic; stiffly pompous

subsequent :: following; later

stint (n) :: supply; allotted amount;

assigned portion of work

subservient :: behaving like a slave;

servile; obsequious

stint (v) :: be thrifty; set limits

subside :: settle down; descend; grow

quiet

stipulate :: make express conditions,

specify

superannuated :: retired or disqualified

because of age

supernumerary :: person or thing in

excess of what is necessary; extra

stigma :: token of disgrace; brand

stipple :: paint or draw with dots

sundry :: various; several

sublimate :: refine; purify

subpoena :: writ summoning a witness to

appear

stipend :: pay for services

sunder :: separate; part

supple :: flexible; pliant

supposititious :: assumed; *counterfeit*;

hypothetical
suppress :: stifle; overwhelm; subdue;
inhibit
surfeit :: too great an amount or supply;
satiate; stuff; indulge to excess in
anything
surly :: rude; cross

subsidiary :: subordinate; secondary

surmise :: guess

subsidy :: direct financial aid by

government, etc.

surmount :: overcome

subsistence :: existence; means of

stock :: *typical; standard*; kept regularly support; livelihood
in supply
substantial :: ample; solid; essential or
fundamental
stockade :: wooden enclosure or pen;
fixed line of posts used as defensive
barrier

surpass :: exceed
surreptitious :: secret; furtive; sneaky;
hidden
surrogate :: substitute
surveillance :: watching; guarding

susceptible :: impressionable; easily

influenced; having little resistance, as to a
disease; receptive to
sustain :: experience; support; nourish
sustenance :: means of support, food,
nourishment

tedium :: boredom; weariness

thwart :: baffle; frustrate

teetotalism :: practice of abstaining totally

from alcoholic drinks

tightwad :: excessively frugal person;

miser

temerity :: boldness; rashness

tiller :: handle used to move boat's rudder

(to steer)

temper :: moderate; tone down or

restrain; toughen (steel)

suture :: stitches sewn to hold the cut

edges of a wound or incision; material
used in sewing

temperament :: characteristic frame of

mind; disposition; emotional excess

swarthy :: dark; dusky

temperate :: restrained; self-controlled;

moderate in respect to temperature

swathe :: wrap around; bandage

timbre :: quality of a musical tone

produced by a musical instrument
timidity :: lack of self-confidence or
courage
timorous :: fearful; demonstrating fear

swelter :: be oppressed by heat

tempestuous :: stormy; impassioned;

violent

tipple :: drink (alcoholic beverages)

frequently

swerve :: deviate; turn aside sharply

tempo :: speed of music

swill :: drink greedily

temporal :: not lasting forever; limited by

time; secular

tirade :: extended scolding; denunciation;

harangue

swindler :: cheat
sybarite :: lover of luxury

temporize :: avoid committing oneself;

gain time

sycophant :: servile flatterer; bootlicker;

yes man

tenacious :: holding fast

syllogism :: logical formula consisting of a

major premise, a minor premise and a
conclusion; deceptive or specious
argument
sylvan :: pertaining to the woods; rustic
symbiosis :: interdependent relationship
(between groups, species) often mutually
beneficial
symmetry :: arrangement of parts so that
balance is obtained; congruity
synchronous :: similarly timed;
simultaneous with
synoptic :: providing a general overview;
summary
synthesis :: combining parts into a whole
synthetic :: artificial; resulting from
synthesis
tacit :: understood; not put into words
taciturn :: habitually silent; taking little
tactile :: pertaining to the organs or sense
of touch
taint :: contaminate; cause to lose purity;
modify with a trace of something bad
talisman :: charm
talon :: claw of bird
tangential :: peripheral; only slightly
connected; *digressing (<- go off the
point)*
tangible :: able to be touched; real;
palpable
tanner :: person who turns animal hides
into leather
tantalize :: tease; torture with
disappointment
tantamount :: equivalent in effect or value

46 wordlist

tenacity :: firmness; persistence

tendentious :: having an aim; biased;
designed to further a cause

titillate :: tickle
title :: right or claim to possession; mark
of rank; name (of a book, film, etc.)
titter :: nervous laugh
titular :: having the title of an office
without the obligations

tenet :: doctrine; dogma

toady :: servile flatterer; yes man

tensile :: capable of being stretched

toga :: Roman outer robe

tentative :: hesitant; not fully worked out

or developed, experimental; not definite or
positive

tome :: large volume; a book, esp. a

large, scholarly or ponderous one

tenuous :: thin; rare; slim

tenure :: holding of an office; time during
which such an office is held
tepid :: lukewarm
termination :: end
terminology :: terms used in a science or
art
terminus :: last stop of railroad
terrestrial :: on or relating to the earth

47 wordlist
tonsure :: shaving of the head, especially
by a person entering religious orders
topography :: physical features of a region
torpor :: lethargy; sluggishness; dormancy
torque :: twisting force; force producing
rotation
torrent :: rushing stream; flood
torrid :: *passionate*; hot or scorching

terse :: concise; abrupt; pithy

torso :: trunk of statue with head and

limbs missing; human trunk

tertiary :: third

tortuous :: winding; full of curves

tesselated :: inlaid; mosaic

totter :: move unsteadily; sway, as if

about to fall

testator :: maker of a will

testy :: irritable; short-tempered

touchstone :: stone used to test the

fineness of gold alloys; criterion

tether :: tie with a rope

touchy :: sensitive; irascible

thematic :: relating to a unifying motif or

idea

tout :: publicize; praise excessively

theocracy :: government run by religious

leaders
theoretical :: not practical or applied;
hypothetical

toxic :: poisonous
tract :: pamphlet; a region of indefinite
size
tractable :: docile; easily managed

therapeutic :: curative

traduce :: expose to slander

thermal :: pertaining to heat

traitor :: person guilty of betrayal, one

who acts disloyally

thespian :: pertaining to drama

thrall :: slave; bondage

taper :: candle

threadbare :: worn through till the threads

show; shabby and poor

taut :: tight; ready, trim, tidy, welldisciplined, efficient, etc.

tithe :: tax of one-tenth

tender :: offer; extend

tantrum :: fit of petulance; caprice

tarry :: delay; dawdle

titanic (n->) titan :: gigantic

thrifty :: careful about money; economical

thrive :: prosper; flourish

tautological :: needlessly repetitious

throes :: violent anguish

tawdry :: cheap and gaudy

throng :: crowd

taxonomist :: specialist in classifying

(animals, etc.)

throttle :: strangle

trajectory :: path taken by a projectile

tranquility :: calmness; peace
transcendent :: surpassing; exceeding
ordinary limits; superior
transcribe :: copy
transgression :: violation of a law; sin
transient :: momentary; temporary;
staying for a short time

transition :: going from one state of action

to another

tutelage :: guardianship; training

unison :: unity of pitch; complete accord

transitory :: impermanent; fleeting

tutelary :: protective; pertaining to a

guardianship

universal :: characterizing or affecting all;

present everywhere

translucent :: partly transparent

tycoon :: wealthy leader

transmute :: change; convert to

something different

typhoon :: tropical hurricane or cyclone

unkempt :: disheveled; uncared for in

appearance

transparent :: easily detected; permitting

light to pass through freely
transpire :: be revealed; happen
transport :: strong emotion
trappings :: outward decorations;
ornaments
traumatic :: pertaining to an injury caused
by violence
travail :: painful labor
traverse :: go through or across
travesty :: comical parody; treatment
aimed at making something appear
ridiculous
treatise :: article treating a subject
systematically and thoroughly
trek :: travel; journey
tremor :: trembling; slight quiver
tremulous :: trembling; wavering
trenchant :: cutting; keen
trepidation :: fear; nervous apprehension
tribulation :: distress; suffering

tyranny :: oppression; cruel government

unmitigated :: unrelieved or immoderate;

*absolute*

tyro :: beginner; novice

unobtrusive :: inconspicuous; not blatant

ubiquitous :: being everywhere;

omnipresent

unprecedented :: novel; unparalleled

48 wordlist
ulterior :: situated beyond; unstated and
often questionable
ultimate :: final; not susceptible to further
analysis

unprepossessing :: unattractive
unravel :: disentangle; solve
unrequited :: not reciprocated;
unanswered
unruly :: disobedient; lawless

ultimatum :: last demand; warning

unsavory :: distasteful; morally offensive

umbrage :: resentment; anger; sense of

injury or insult

unscathed :: unharmed

unaccountable :: inexplicable;
unreasonable or mysterious
unanimity :: complete agreement
unassailable :: not subject to question; not
open to attack
unassuaged :: unsatisfied; not soothed
unassuming :: modest
unbridled :: violent
uncanny :: strange; mysterious

unseemly :: unbecoming; indecent; in

poor taste
unsightly :: ugly
unsullied :: untarnished
untenable :: indefensible; not able to be
maintained
untoward :: unfortunate or unlucky;
adverse; unexpected
unwarranted :: unjustified; groundless;
undeserved

unconscionable :: unscrupulous; excessive

unwieldy :: awkward; cumbersome;

unmanageable

uncouth :: outlandish; clumsy; boorish

unwitting :: unintentional; not knowing

trident :: three-pronged spear

unction :: the act of anointing with oil

unwonted :: unaccustomed

trifling :: trivial; unimportant

unctuous :: oily; bland; * insincerely

suave*

upbraid :: severely scold; reprimand

tribute :: * tax levied by a ruler *; mark of

respect

trigger :: set off

underlying :: fundamental; lying below

uproarious :: marked by commotion;

extremely funny; very noisy

undermine :: weaken; sap

upshot :: the conclusion; result; outcome

underscore :: emphasize

urbane :: suave; refined; elegant

trivia :: trifles; unimportant matters

undulating :: moving with a wavelike

motion

urchin :: mischievous child (usually a boy)

troth :: pledge of good faith especially in

betrothal

unearth :: dig up

trough :: * container for feeding farm

animals *; lowest point (of a wave,
business cycle, etc)

unequivocal :: plain; obvious

usury :: lending money at illegal rates of

interest

unerringly :: infallible

utopia :: ideal place, state, or society

truism :: self-evident truth

unexceptionable :: not offering any basis

for criticism; entirely acceptable

uxorious :: excessively devoted to one's

wife

truncate :: cut the top off

unfaltering :: steadfast

vacillate :: waver; fluctuate

tryst :: meeting

unfeigned :: genuine; real

vacuous :: empty; lacking in ideas; stupid

tumid :: swollen; (of style etc.) pompous;

bombastic

unfettered :: liberated; freed from chains

vagabond :: wanderer; tramp

unfledged :: immature

vagary :: caprice; whim

unfrock :: to strip a priest or minister of

church authority

vagrant (adj.) :: wandering from place to

place or living a wandering life; nomadic
stray; random

trilogy :: group of three works

trinket :: knickknack; bauble
trite :: hackneyed; commonplace

truculence :: aggressiveness; ferocity

tumult :: commotion; riot; noise

tundra :: rolling, treeless plain in Siberia
and Arctic North America

unearthly :: not earthly; weird

ungainly :: awkward; clumsy; unwieldy

ursine :: bearlike; pertaining to a bear

usurp :: seize another's power or rank

turbid :: muddy; having the sediment

disturbed

unguent :: ointment

turbulence :: state of violent agitation

uniformity :: sameness; monotony

vainglorious :: boastful; excessively

conceited

tureen :: deep dish for serving soup

unilateral :: one-sided

valedictory :: pertaining to farewell

turgid :: swollen; distended

unimpeachable :: blameless and

exemplary

valid :: logically convincing; sound; legally

acceptable

uninhibited :: unrepressed

validate :: confirm; ratify

unintimidating :: unfrightening

valor :: bravery

unique :: without an equal; single in kind

vampire :: ghostly being that sucks the

blood of the living

turmoil :: great commotion and confusion

turncoat :: traitor
turpitude :: depravity (<-a depraved
condition; corruption; wickedness)

vagrant (n) :: homeless wanderer

vanguard :: forerunners; advance forces

vertex :: summit

voluble :: fluent; glib; talkative

vantage :: position giving an advantage

vertigo :: severe dizziness

voluminous :: bulky; large

vapid :: dull and unimaginative; insipid

and flavorless

verve :: enthusiasm; liveliness

voracious :: ravenous

vestige :: trace; remains

vex :: annoy; distress

vortex :: whirlwind; whirlpool; center of

turbulence; predicament into which one is
inexorably plunged

viable :: practical or workable; capable of

maintaining life

vouchsafe :: grant condescendingly;

guarantee

viand :: food

voyeur :: Peeping Tom

vicarious :: experienced imaginatively

through another person; acting as a
substitute; done by a deputy;

vulnerable :: susceptible to wounds

vicissitude :: change of fortune

waffle :: speak equivocally about an issue

victuals :: food

waft :: moved gently by wind or waves

vie :: contend; compete

waggish :: mischievous; humorous; tricky

vigilant :: watchful awake; alert to spot

danger

waif :: homeless child or animal

vaporize :: turn into vapor (steam, gas,

fog, etc.)
variegated :: many-colored
vassal :: humble dependent; (hist.) holder
of land by feudal tenure
vaunted :: boasted; bragged; highly
publicized
veer :: change in direction
vegetate :: live in a monotonous way; 2)
to grow as plants
vehement :: forceful; intensely emotional;
with marked vigor

49 wordlist

vulpine :: like a fox; crafty

waive :: give up temporarily; yield

velocity :: speed

vignette :: picture; short literary sketch

venal :: capable of being bribed

vigor :: active strength

vendetta :: blood feud

vilify :: slander

wake :: trail of ship or other object

through water; path of something that has
gone before; (2) in the w---e of -->
following

vendor :: seller

vindicate :: clear from blame; exonerate;

justify or support

wallow :: roll in; indulge in; become

helpless

vindictive :: out for revenge; malicious

wan :: having a pale or sickly color; pallid

vintner :: winemaker; seller of wine

wanderlust :: strong longing to travel

viper :: poisonous snake

wane :: decrease in size or strength; draw

gradually to an end

veneer :: thin layer; cover

venerable :: deserving high respect
venerate :: revere
venial :: forgivable; trivial
venison :: the meat of a deer
venom :: poison; hatred

virile :: manly
virtual :: in essence; for practical purposes

vent :: small opening; outlet

virtue :: goodness; moral excellence; good

quality

vent (v) :: express; utter

virtuoso :: highly skilled artist

ventral :: abdominal

virulent :: extremely poisonous; hostile;

bitter

ventriloquist :: someone who can make his

or her voice seem to come from another
person or thing
venture :: risk; dare; undertake a risk
venturesome :: bold
venue :: location
veracious :: truthful
veracity :: truthfulness
verbalize :: put into words
verbatim :: word for a word
verbiage :: pompous array of words

virus :: disease communicator

visage :: face; appearance
visceral :: felt in one's inner organs
viscid :: adhesive; gluey
viscous :: sticky, gluey
vise :: tool for holding work in place
visionary :: produced by imagination;
fanciful; mystical
vital :: *vibrant and lively*; critical; living,
breathing

wangle :: wiggle out; fake

wanton :: unrestrained; willfully malicious;
unchaste
warble :: sing; babble
warranted :: justified; authorized
warranty :: guarantee; assurance by seller
warren :: tunnels in which rabbits live;
crowded conditions in which people live
wary :: very cautious
wastrel :: profligate (<-extravagant)
wax :: increase; grow
waylay :: ambush; lie in wait
wean :: accustom a baby not to nurse;
*give up a cherished activity*
weather :: endure the effects of weather
or other forces
welt :: mark from a beating or whipping

verbose :: wordy

vitiate :: spoil the effect of; make

inoperative

verdant :: green; lush in vegetation; *

inexperienced *

vitreous :: pertaining to or resembling

glass

verdigris :: green coating on copper which

has been exposed to the weather

vitriolic :: corrosive; sarcastic

wheedle :: cajole; coax; deceive by

flattery

vituperative :: abusive; scolding

whelp :: young wolf, dog, tiger, etc.

vivacious :: lively or animated; sprightly

whiff :: puff or gust (of air, scent, etc.);

hint

verge :: border; edge

verisimilar :: probable or likely; having the
appearance of truth
verisimilitude :: appearance of truth,
likelihood

vivisection :: act of dissecting living

animals
vixen :: female fox; ill-tempered woman

veritable :: actual; being truly so; not false vociferous :: clamorous; noisy
or imaginary
vogue :: popular fashion
verity :: quality of being true; lasting truth
50 wordlist
or principle
vernacular :: living language; natural style
vernal :: pertaining to spring
versatile :: having many talents; capable
of working in many fields

volatile :: changeable; explosive;

evaporating rapidly
volition :: act of making a conscious
choice; wish

welter (n) :: turmoil; bewildering jumble

welter (v) :: wallow

whimsical :: capricious; fanciful

whinny :: neigh like a horse
whit :: smallest speck
whittle :: pare; cut off bits
whorl :: ring of leaves around stem; ring
willful :: intentional; headstrong
wily :: cunning; artful
wince :: shrink back; flinch

windfall :: fallen fruit; unexpected lucky

event
winnow :: sift; separate good parts from
bad
winsome :: agreeable; gracious; engaging
wispy :: thin; slight; barely discernible

Special wordlist
abbey :: monastery (Religion)
abbot :: superior of monastery (Religion)
abduction :: carrying of a person by force
(Crime)

akrolith :: statue made of two materials

head (Sculpture)
alabaster :: translucent marble like stone
for carving (Sculpture)
alfresco :: food eaten outdoors (Eating)
algo phobia :: fear of pain (Phobias)

ablution :: ritual bathing of body or

washing of object or person (Religion)

alias :: false name used by criminals

(Crime)

wither :: shrivel; decay

ablutomania :: chronic obsession with

bathing (Mania)

alibi :: excuse given to avert blame

(Crime)

withhold :: refuse to give; hold back

absolution :: forgiveness for sins (Religion)

aliment :: food as nourishment (Eating)

withstand :: stand up against; successful

resist

abulia :: loss of will or ability to act

(Psychological)

allegory :: extended metaphor (Language)

wistful :: vaguely longing; sadly pensive

withdrawn :: introverted; *remote*

witless :: foolish; idiotic

witticism :: witty saying; wisecrack
wizardry :: sorcery; magic
wizened :: withered; shriveled
woe :: deep, inconsolable grief; affliction;
suffering
wont :: custom; habitual procedure
worldly :: engrossed matters of this earth;
not spiritual
wrangle :: quarrel; obtain through
arguing; herd cattle
wrath :: pull away; take by violence
writ :: written command issued by a court

allegro :: rapid movements accompanied

accessory :: person, who though absent,
by jumps and turns (Dance)
assists another to commit a crime or evade
allemande :: court dance (Dance)
capture (Crime)
accomplice :: criminal's active partner in
crime (Crime)
acerbic :: sour/astringent in taste, or acid
in temper, expression, or tone (Taste)
Achilles :: greatest Greek hero of Trojan
war, invulnerable to weapons except for
one heel (Mythology)
acicular :: needle (Shapes)
acidic :: sharp/biting in flavor (Taste)
acme :: highest point (Place)
acolyte :: altar server (Religion)

writhe :: twist in coils; contort in pain

acquittal :: act of relieving accused from

charge of alleged crime (Crime)

wry :: twisted; with a humorous twist

acrid :: sharp/biting/pungent (Taste)

xenophobia :: fear or hatred of foreigners

acrophobia :: fear of heights (Phobias)

yen :: longing; urge

acute :: of an angle less than 900

(Shapes)

yeoman :: man owning small estate;

middle-class farmer
yield (n) :: amount produced; crop;
income on investment
yield (v) :: give in; surrender
yoke :: join together, unite
yokel :: country bumpkin
yore :: time long past
zany :: crazy; comic
zeal :: eager enthusiasm
zealot :: fanatic; person who shows
excessive zeal
zenith :: point directly overhead in the
sky; summit
zephyr :: gentle breeze; west wind

adage :: proverb (Language)

Adonis :: beautiful Greek young man who
symbolized the death of nature in full and
reborn the following spring (Mythology)
aeolus :: god of winds (Gods)
aero phobia :: fear of heights (Phobias)
afflict :: inflict injury or distress (Fights)
aftertaste :: sensation of taste remaining
after substance is eaten (Taste)
Agamemnon :: leader of the Greeks during
the seize of troy (Mythology)
agita :: condition of general anxiety or
agitation (Psychological)
agitprop :: informal drama supporting
leftist ideology (Theatre)
agnostic :: a person who doubts the
ultimate knowledge of god, skeptic,
doubter, cynic (Personality Traits)
agnosticism :: belief that human beings
can't know whether there is a god
(Sociology)

alliteration :: succession of words or

stressed syllables of word group beginning
with same consonant sound or same letter
(Language)
allocution :: address: formal speech
(Language)
allusion :: reference to famous, historical
or literary person or event (Language)
almamater :: a college where one studied
(Education)
almanac :: book with information on
various fields (Literature)
aloft :: high in air (Place)
altar :: raised platform where sacrifices
and offerings are made to god (Religion)
altercation :: dispute; contest (Fights)
alto :: female voice sung at a lower pitch
than soprano (Music)
altruist :: an unselfish person, benevolent
(Personality Traits)
amatho phobia :: fear of dust (Phobias)
amazons :: single breasted seythian
women warriors (Mythology)
ambrosia :: 1) appealing to smell or taste
2) food of the gods (Aroma)
ambrosia :: food of the gods conferring
them immortality (Mythology)
ambush :: surprise attack by concealed
force (Fights)
amen :: solemn ramification of faith used
at the end of prayers (Religion)
amentia :: mental deficiency especially low
intellectual capacity (Psychological)
amnesia :: partial or complete memory
loss (Psychological)
amnesty :: pardon given to a political
prisoner (Crime)
amphitheater :: large, round, open theatre
(Theatre)

amphitrite :: goddess of sea (Gods)

agnosticism :: belief that god's existence is
unknowable; nescience (Religion)
anadiplosis :: repetition of last word in
phrase or sentence to constitute first word
agora phobia :: fear of crowds or open
in phrase or sentence (Language)
places (Phobias)
anaphora :: repetition of same word or
agyro phobia :: fear of crossing the street
phrase to begin consecutive sentences or
(Phobias)
clauses (Language)
ailuro phobia :: fear of cats (Phobias)
ailuromania :: intense enthusiasm for cats
(Mania)
air :: simple tune, melody or song (Music)

anagram :: rearrangement of letters in

one word to form another word
(Language)
anarchist :: one who resists all authority
(Violence)

anarchist :: a law breaker (Personality

Traits)

Aphrodite :: goddess of love and beauty

(Gods)

astringent :: harshly biting to taste buds

(Taste)

anathema :: curse, ban or

excommunication pronounced by religious
authority (Religion)

api phobia :: fear of bees (Phobias)

at peace :: dead (Death)

apical :: narrowing to a pointed tip

(Shapes)

at peace :: dead (Death)

anathema :: formal denunciation

(Language)
anchor :: object that has a broad, hook
like arm (Shapes)
anchorite :: religious hermit (Religion)
andro phobia :: fear of men (Phobias)
anecdote :: short narrative or descriptive
revealing point of interest about person or
event (Language)
anglo phobia :: fear or dislike of England
or anything English (Phobias)
anglophile :: a lover of English language
(Education)
animality :: expression of animal instincts
in human behavior (Psychological)
animism :: a belief that natural objects
possess souls (Anthropology)
animism :: belief that natural objects and
phenomena have souls (Religion)
annealing :: softening of hammer
hardened metal by heating and gradual
cooling (Sculpture)
annihilation :: total destruction, extinction
(Violence)

apogee :: highest or most distant point

(Place)

atlas :: titan bearing earth and firmament

on his shoulders (Mythology)
atrocity :: cruel in human act (Violence)

apolitical :: having no interest in politics

(Sociology)

aubade :: sunrise music (Music)

Apollo :: god of arts, intellect & property

(Gods)

autism :: 1) lack of responsiveness to

others (among children) 2) deficiency in
language development (Psychological)

aposiopesis :: abrupt interruption that

leaves thought incomplete (Language)

auto mania :: compulsion toward solitude

(Mania)

apostate :: a person who breaks religious

principles, defector (Personality Traits)

auto phobia :: fear of loneliness (Phobias)

apostate :: deserter of religious faith

(Religion)

autodidact :: a self-taught person

(Education)

apostle :: messenger/preacher of religious

principles (Religion)

autopsy :: postmortem & necropsy (Death)

apothegm :: tersely worded maxim

(Language)
apotheosis :: deification esp. by elevating
mortal to god (Religion)
arabesque :: a dancing posture (Dance)
arabesque :: short, classical position of the
body and especially the feet in ballet.
(Music)

axiom :: self evident truth (Language)

azimuth :: of horizon measured clockwise
from fixed point at north or south
(Dimension)
bacillary :: rod (Shapes)
ballad :: slow, sentimental romantic song
(Music)
ballad :: vocal song telling sotry (Music)

arachnophobia :: fear of spiders (Phobias)

ballade :: piano composition in romantic

mood (Music)

annihilator :: one who utterly destroys

(Violence)

archaism :: old, obsolete vocabulary

(Language)

ballet :: classical dance form (Dance)

annular :: ring shaped (Shapes)

archangel :: chief angle (Religion)

ballet :: music written to accompany

balletic dance (Music)

anomie :: feeling of isolation or

disconnectedness from social norms
(Psychological)

arcuate :: curved like a bow (Shapes)

anorexia :: pathological fear of food

(especially among young women) leading
to loss of appetite (Psychological)
anosmic :: having complete or partial loss
of smell (Aroma)
antemortem :: preceding death (Death)
anthem :: 1) sacred vocal composition
with the words from scriptures 2) song of
praise (Music)
antho phobia :: fear of flowers (Phobias)
anthology :: collection of writings by
different authors (Literature)
anthomania :: inordinate interest in
flowers (Mania)
anthropology :: it is the study of physical
and socio cultural aspects of human kind
(Anthropology)

Ares :: god of war (Gods)

balletomane :: enthusiastic and

knowledgeable follower of ballet (Dance)

banker :: sculptor's workbench for

Argus :: hundred eyed roman guard and
after his death his eyes were transferred to dressing stones (Sculpture)
peacock's tail after death (Mythology)
banquet :: a sumptuous spread of many
dishes (Eating)
aria :: solo song in opera (Music)
arithmomania :: craze for counting and
numbers (Mania)

banshee :: female spirit who warns of

death by wailing (Mythology)

armature :: framework used to support

sculpture in modeling process. (Sculpture)

barbarian :: cruel, uncivilized brute

(Violence)

aroma :: 1) agreeable odor (Aroma)

barbecue :: outdoor meal consisting of

meats cooked over charcoal (Eating)

aromatic :: having a pleasant scent or

odor (Aroma)
arraignment :: appearance in court for
indictment on charges (Crime)
arson :: intentionally setting fire to
property (Crime)
arsonist :: person who intentionally sets a
fire (Crime)

bard :: composer/singer of epic poetry

(Literature)
barghest :: legendary doglike goblin that
portends death or misfortune (Mythology)
baritone :: male voice (Music)
barn dance :: rural American social dance
(Dance)

anthropomorphism :: attribution of human

arsonist :: one who sets things on fire;
shape and character to animals (Sociology)
incendiary (Violence)

barrow :: mound of earth and stones over

grave (Death)

anthropomorphism :: practice of endowing

natural world with human attributes
(Mythology)

basilisk :: serpent with deadly breath and

glance; cockatrice (Mythology)

askew :: twisted to one side (Dimension)

aslant :: obliquely at a slant (Dimension)

anthropophagi :: cannibalism
(Anthropology)

asleep :: dead; into the state of death

(Death)

antithesis :: use of strongly contrasting

words and images (Language)

asphyxiation :: death by lack of oxygen or

from breathing obstruction, smothering;
suffocation (Death)

antonym :: pseudonym formed by

backward spelling of real name (Language) assassination :: murder of public figure
(Crime)
apartheid :: racial segregation (Sociology)
apex :: highest point (Place)
aphorism :: succinct, memorable
statement of a truth (maxim) (Language)

assassination :: murder of a public figure

(Death)
astra phobia :: fear of lightening/thunder
(Phobias)

bass :: lowest normal male voice (Music)

bastinado :: beating with stick or cudgel
(Violence)
batho phobia :: fear of deep places
(Phobias)
baton :: conductor's light rod used to keep
time (Music)
battery :: group of guns or missile
launchers operated together at one place
(Crime)
battery :: physical beating of a person
(Fights)

beeline :: 1) direct course 2) straight line

(Dimension)

bolero :: music written in the rhythm of

the bolero dance (Dance)

cabaret :: song style typical of night club

entertainment (Music)

behemoth :: any creature of monstrous

size and power (Mythology)

bolt :: swallow food/drink hurriedly

(Eating)

cacology :: poor diction or pronunciation

(Language)

belletrist :: author of amusing works

(Literature)

bolus :: lumpy rounded mass (Shapes)

cadaver :: dead body exp (Death)

bookie :: person accepting illegal bets

(Crime)

cairn :: heap of stones set up as memorial

to the deceased (Death)

bootlegger :: seller of illegal items (Crime)

calligrapher :: a person with good

handwriting (Personality Traits)

bellicose :: a person who loves aggression,

belligerent, military, hostile, assuasive
(hostile attitude) (Personality Traits)
benchmark :: point/reference for making
measurements (Place)
benediction :: blessing (Religion)
benevolent :: a kind hearted person,
altruistic, benign, benignant, renegade,
runagate, (Personality Traits)
benison :: blessing (Religion)
bereaved :: family and friends of the dead
(Death)
berserker :: frenzied and ferocious warrior
(Violence)
bethel :: church for seamen (Religion)
biannual :: 1) occurring twice a year 2)
semi annual 3) occurring every two years
(Time)

bootlegging :: illegal production,

distribution or sale of something already
owned or copyrighted (Crime)
botryoidal :: formed like a bunch of grapes
(Shapes)

cancan :: high kicking stage dance

(Dance)

bouquet :: distinctive aroma of wines or

liquors (Aroma)

cannibal :: person who eats human flesh

(Violence)

bouquinisite :: person who buys and sells

used books (Literature)

canon :: works ascribed to author and

accepted as genuine/religious law
(Literature)

brackish :: having a slightly salty taste

(Taste)
brawl :: noisy fight or quarrel (Fights)
break in :: illegal entry of another's
property (Crime)
brigand :: bandit, (Crime)

bibelot :: small book (Literature)

briny :: salty in flavor (Taste)

bibliognost :: people with comprehensive

knowledge of books (Literature)

broil :: noisy argument/fight (Fights)

bibliography :: list of resources used in

compiling a book (Literature)
bibliomania :: inordinate interest in
acquiring books (Mania)
bibliophile :: lover of books and literature
(Literature)
bibliophile :: a lover of books (Education)
bicentennial :: 1) occurring every 200
years (Time)
biennial :: 1) occurring every 2 years 2)
two year anniversary (Time)
bier :: coffin (Death)
bifrost :: rainbow bride between heaven
and earth (Mythology)
bilateral :: two sided (Shapes)
bimonthly :: 1) occurring every two
months 2) bimensal (Time)
bipedalism :: locomotion on two feet
(Anthropology)
bissextile day :: feb 29; occurring every
fourth year (Time)

bromide :: a trite or obvious remark

(Language)
browbeat :: wave a weapon menacingly
(Fights)

carnage :: bloody slaughter of large

number of people (Death)
carnage :: large scale destruction of life
(Violence)

carving :: cutting away of wood or stone to

create three forms (Sculpture)

brunch :: food taken in between breakfast

and lunch (Taste)

casket :: elaborate coffin (Death)

bruxism :: unconscious grinding or

gnashing of teeth usually during sleep
(Psychological)
buffet :: food arranged for self service
(Eating)
buffo :: male opera singer who specializes
in comic parts (Music)
bugbear :: goblin that devours disobedient
children (Mythology)
bulimia :: excessive eating followed by self
induced vomiting (Psychological)

bunko :: swindle by taking advantage of

victim's ignorance (Crime)

bluebeard :: any man who allegedly

murders a series of women he has married
(Crime)

cap sheaf :: highest point (Place)

brunch :: late morning meal (Eating)

black humor :: the juxtaposition of morbid

and farcical elements (in writing or drama)
to give a disturbing effect (Death)

blue moon :: long period of time (Time)

cantor :: singer/leader of choir (Religion)

carrion :: dead body left out for animals

and birds to eat (Death)

bump off (sl) :: murder (Death)

blow away (sl) :: murder (Death)

canto :: melody in choral or instrumental

music (Music)

Brownie :: tiny, fanciful, brown elf who

does household chores at night
(Mythology)

bite the dust :: die (Death)

blitz :: lightening quick attack (Fights)

canticle :: liturgical song based on bible

text (Music)

carol :: traditional song of faith especially

heard at Christmas (Music)

bully :: overbearing person who terrorizes

weaker people (Violence)

blight :: run, cause to wither or decay

(Fights)

canon :: religious code/doctrine (Religion)

browbeat :: intimidate (Fights)

bistro :: cheap restaurant (Eating)

blasphemy :: intentional offence to god

(Religion)

calliope :: chief muse; muse of epic heroic

poetry (Mythology)

burglar :: thief (Crime)

burlesque :: 1) satire 2) entertainment
(Theatre)
bust :: sculpture of upper part of body,
(Sculpture)
busyboy :: a cleaner in a restaurant
(Eating)
butcher :: slaughter or kill in a barbarous
or indiscriminate manner (Death)
butt :: strike with head (Fights)

byword :: proverb word or phrase

bogeyman :: frightening, demonic figure of associated with a person or thing
(Language)
popular folklore (Mythology)

casting :: reproduction technique using a

mold (Sculpture)
casualty :: person killed in war/accident
(Death)
cat burglar :: one skilled at breaking into
buildings even those secured against theft,
by climbing through upstairs windows
(Crime)
catacomb :: underground cemetery
consisting of tunnels with recesses for
tombs (Death)
catafalque :: decorated bier on which a
coffin rests in state during a funeral
(Death)
catenate :: chain like in shape (Shapes)
caustic :: sharp/acidic (Taste)
celibacy :: abstention from marriage and
sexual relations as by priest (Religion)
cenobite :: member of religious order
living in convent/monastery (Religion)
cenotaph :: honorary tomb for person
buried elsewhere (Death)
centaur :: half (Mythology)
centrifugal :: moving away from the
center/axis (Dimension)
centripetal :: moving toward the
center/axis (Dimension)
cerecloth :: waxed cloth for wrapping
corpse or cerement (Death)

chafe :: rub against so as to wear away

(Fights)

coda :: final section of classical grand

dance (two performers) (Dance)

cremains :: ashes of cremated body

(Death)

chambers :: judge's private office

adjoining court room (Crime)

code :: passage added to final section of

piece (Music)

crematorium :: crematory (Death)

chant :: sacred song (Music)

codex :: manuscript book (classical or

biblical) (Literature)

chantey :: sailor's work song (Music)

chapel :: small house of worship
associated with larger church (Religion)
chaplain :: person conducting religious
services in places other than church
(Religion)

collar :: seize by neck (Fights)

cologne :: mildly perfumed toilet water
(Aroma)
colossus :: extremely large scale sculpture
dance forms (Sculpture)

Charleston :: vigorous ballroom dance

(Dance)

colporteur :: person who travels about to

sell bibles (Religion)

chase :: finish metal surface (Sculpture)

comestibles :: edibles (Eating)

chauvinism :: unreasonable devotion to

one's race, sex, country (Sociology)

commute :: reduce sentence (Crime)

chef :: chief cook (Eating)

cherub :: one of second order of angels
(Religion)
chestnut :: odd and unfamiliar anecdote or
joke (Language)
chimera :: flame (Mythology)
chisel :: sharp (Sculpture)
chloris :: goddess of flowers (Gods)
choir :: group of singers (Music)
choking :: wind pipe obstruction by
physical pressure or due to breathing of
poisoned air (Death)
choreo mania :: craze for dancing (Mania)
choreography :: art of devising form,
sequence and purpose of ballet
movements (Dance)
chorister :: member of a choir (Music)
chrematomania :: obsessive desire for
money (Mania)
chrometo phobia :: fear of money
(Phobias)
cilo :: muse of history (Mythology)
cinderella :: fairytale heroine who escapes
mistreatment by step (Mythology)
cinerarium :: vessel especially urn used to
receive ashes of the cremated dead
(Death)
circadian :: occurring in 24 hour cycles
(Time)
circe :: evil woman who turned humans
into swine (Mythology)

compendium :: concise but comprehensive

work (Literature)

crescendo :: gradual, steady increase in

volume (Music)
crest :: highest point (Place)
criminology :: study of crime its causes
(Crime)
cromlech :: circle of stone monoliths on
burial mound (Death)
crook :: criminal (Crime)
crook :: bent or hooked form 14 central
axis (Shapes)
crown :: highest point (Place)
Crucifixion :: nailing of hands and feet to
cross (Death)

crunch :: grind or press (Fights)

concert :: live performance of music before
cryo phobia :: fear of cold (Phobias)
audience (Music)
concertino :: short concerto (Music)
concerto :: composition with more
instruments (Music)
concordance :: alphabetical index of topics
/ subjects (Literature)
conductor :: leader of orchestra (Music)

cryonics :: freezing of recently deceased

people in hopes of resuscitation when cure
exists for their fatal disease (Death)
crypt :: underground vault or burial
chamber (Death)
cuisine :: specific style of food (Eating)
cupid :: god of love (Gods)

conflagration :: extensive, extremely

destructive fire (Violence)

curate :: clergyman (Religion)

conga :: a ball room dance (Dance)

curia :: the papal court (Religion)

connoisseur :: a person with a

discriminating taste in food (Taste)

cusp :: point or apex, tip of crescent

(Shapes)

connoisseur :: an expert of food, drink and

arts, critic, expert, judge (Personality
Traits)

cynic :: a person who is unhappy with

human nature, skeptic, scoffer, detraction,
iritic (Personality Traits)

consecration :: dedication of person or

object to sacred use (Religion)

cynomania :: intense enthusaism for dogs

(Mania)

consort :: ensemble of singers and

instrumentalists (Music)

dactyloscopy :: method of studying

fingerprints to establish identification
(Crime)

consume :: destroy completely (Fights)

contract (slang) :: agreement to commit
murder for payment (Death)
contralto :: lowest female voice or voice
part (Music)
conundrum :: riddle/questions involving
(answer) a pun (Language)
conventicle :: a secret unauthorized
meeting for religious worship; assembly
for worship (Religion)

daemon :: supernatural force, spirit for

good or evil in popular folklore (Mythology)
Daikoku :: god of wealth (Gods)
danceur :: male ballet dancer (Dance)
dealtor :: professional informer (Crime)
decapitation :: removal of head from neck
(Death)
deceased :: dead (Death)

circinate :: ring shaped (Shapes)

conviction :: legal establishment of guilt

(Crime)

decimation :: large scale destruction

(Violence)

circuitous :: following an indirect path

(Dimension)

convoluted :: twisted or coiled (Shapes)

decorum :: propriety, polite behavior

(Sociology)

circumlocution :: round about mode of

expression (Language)
claustro phobia :: fear of enclosed places
(Phobias)
clemency :: mercy shown to prisoners by
authorities (Crime)
clino phobia :: fear of going to bed
(Phobias)
clobber :: strike a hard blow (Fights)
clog :: dance in which performer beats out
rhythm on floor with heavy wood shoes
(Dance)
closet drama :: play intended to be read
not performed (Theatre)
club :: hit with heavy weapon (Fights)

cook off :: contest in which competitors

prepare their specialties (Eating)
cordate :: heart shaped (Shapes)

decrescendo :: gradual decrease in volume

(Music)
decussate :: `x' shaped (Shapes)

coroner :: public official who investigates

deaths not due to natural causes (Death)

deep six :: burial at sea (Death)

corpse :: dead body (Death)

defalcation :: 1) failure to meet promise 2)

act of embezzlement (Crime)

cortege :: funeral procession (Death)

cotillion :: lively social dance (Dance)
counterfeiting :: manufacturing of fake
money (Crime)
crackdown :: intensification of police
efforts to control crime (Crime)
cradlesong :: lullaby (Music)

defamation :: injury to person's character

spoken (slander) or written (libel) (Crime)
defector :: a person who turns traitor to a
cause, apostate, derelict, recreant
(Personality Traits)
defendant :: suspect on trial in court of
law (Crime)
defile :: pollute (Fights)

delectable :: delicious/appetizing (Taste)

delinquent :: person who violates the law
(Crime)
deluge :: the great flood of various
legends (Mythology)
demagogue :: a person who attacks the
sentiments of masses by his speeches /a
false leader (Personality Traits)
demise :: death (Death)
dendroid :: tree shaped (Shapes)
dent :: make a depression or hollow in
something (Fights)

dragon :: reptilian monster, often with

breath of fire (Mythology)

entomb :: place corpse in burial tomb

(Death)

drain :: drink everything in (container)

(Eating)

entomomania :: inordinate fascination with

insects (Mania)

drill :: tool for boring holes in wood, metal

or stone (Sculpture)

entomophobia :: fear of insects (Phobias)

dromo phobia :: fear of crossing streets

(Phobias)
dromomania :: intense enthusiasm for
traveling (Mania)
drop dead :: die suddenly (Death)
drum :: hit repeatedly (Fights)

deodorant :: any agent used for

eliminating odors (Aroma)

dryad :: forest nymph who protects trees

(Mythology)

departed :: dead (Death)

duel :: fight between 2 persons (Fights)

deracinate :: uproot from home or native

culture (Fights)

dulcify :: sweeten (Taste)

desecrate :: treat without respect (Fights)

deserter :: a person who runs away from
army, fugitive, defector, traitor
(Personality Traits)
despoil :: plunder or ravage (Fights)
devour :: eat voraciously (Eating)

duodecennial :: occurring every 12 years

(Time)
dwarf :: small usually ugly creature with
magic powers (Mythology)
dysfunction :: failure of mental process
(Psychological)

devour :: destroy by consuming (Fights)

ecclesiastical :: relating to church as

formal and established institution
(Religion)

dextral :: on or leaning to the right

(Dimension)

egoist :: a selfish person (Personality

Traits)

dipso phobia :: fear of drunkenness

(Phobias)

egomania :: obsession with oneself

(Mania)

dipsomania :: irresistible craving for

alcoholic beverages (Mania)

egotist :: a conceited person, vanity,

haughty, pompous, insolent, blustering
(Personality Traits)

dirge :: song of lamentation at funeral

(Death)
dirge :: slow, mournful piece of music
(Music)
discobolus :: statue of athlete about to
toss (Sculpture)
discotheque :: dance club with recorded
music (Music)
dismember :: cut limb from limb (Fights)
dispatch :: eat up quickly (Eating)
dissonance :: interval that is restless and
discordant (Music)
ditty :: brief, simple often humorous song
(Music)
diurnal :: daily (Time)
divertissement :: dance or series of short
dancers without plot (Dance)
docent :: 1) a tourist guide in a museum
2) a university teacher (Education)
dogfight :: rough physical fight (Fights)
doggerel :: silly or bad poetry (Literature)
dolmen :: prehistoric tomb (Death)
done for (infml) :: ruined, defeated, dying
(Death)
dora phobia :: fear of fur (Phobias)
dorsal :: near or on the back (Place)
dorsolateral :: on both the back and sides
(Place)
draft :: unfinished, preliminary version of
manuscript (Literature)
dragnet :: systematic police search for
criminal (Crime)

eighty sixed :: died, esp., killed (Death)

entree :: dish served as main meal

(Eating)
eon :: 1) extremely long period of time 2)
eon (Time)
epicenter :: 1) exact center 2) earth's
surface beneath focus of earthquake
(Place)
epigraphy :: study of ancient inscriptions
(Anthropology)
epilogue :: concluding section after main
body of work (Literature)
epitaph :: memorial inscription on
tomb/grave (Death)
epoch :: 1) significant time period marked
by historical events 2) era (Time)
eremiophobia :: fear of being alone
(Phobias)
ergomania :: obsessive zeal for work
(Mania)
ergophobia :: fear of work (Phobias)
Eros :: god of love (Gods)
eroto mania :: uncontrollable sexual desire
(Mania)
erythophobia :: fear of red color (Phobias)
eternity :: forever (Time)
ethnography :: systematic description of
individual cultures (Anthropology)

eisoptro phobia :: fear of mirrors (Phobias)

ethos :: characteristic/distinguishing
attitude and habits of a group (Sociology)

electrocution :: death by electric shock

(Death)

etiquette :: established conventions

(Sociology)

electrum :: alloy of gold and silver for fine

sculptural details (Sculpture)

tude :: 1) a musical piece intended to aid

student in learning an instrument 2)
vespers music (Music)

elegy :: funeral song or poem of

lamentation for the dead (Death)
eleutheromania :: irresistible craving for
freedom (Mania)
eleuthorophobia :: fear of freedom
(Phobias)
eleventh hour :: last possible moment for
some action (Time)
elf :: mountain fairy seen by moonlight
(Mythology)
elongation :: condition of being stretched
or lengthened (Dimension)
embalming :: treatment of corpse to
prevent decay (Death)
embezzlement :: theft of money or
appropriation of property entrusted to
one's care (Crime)

euphony :: pleasantness of sounds in

poetry (Literature)
euterpe :: muse of music (Mythology)
euthanasia :: merciful, painless killing of
hopelessly sick person/mercy killing
(Death)
evensong :: evening prayer (Music)
evisceration :: death by disembowelment
(=>removing of vital organs of body)
(Death)
ex-con :: former convict, now released
from prison (Crime)
exegesis :: critical interpretation of text
(Literature)
exegesis :: analysis and interpretation of
scriptures (Religion)

emboss :: decorate with low relief design

(Sculpture)

exequies :: funeral rites or ceremonies

(Death)

emetophobia :: fear of vomiting (Phobias)

exhumation :: digging up of corpse from

grave (Death)

endogamy :: marrying within a community

(Anthropology)
engorge :: eat greedily (Eating)

exogamy :: marrying out side a

community (Anthropology)

ensiform :: shaped like a sword (Shapes)

exonerate :: clear of all charges of guilt

(Crime)

entheomania :: obsessive zeal for religion

(Mania)

expiation :: atonement of one's sins

(Religion)
expire :: die (Death)

expunge :: obliterate (Fights)

fracas :: noisy fight/brawl (Fights)

extermination :: complete and immediate

elimination by killing (Death)

Francophile :: a lover of French language

(Education)

extirpate :: root out/eradicate or expel

(Fights)

fratricide :: killing of one's brother (Death)

extortion :: demand for payment by

threatening or force; blackmail (Crime)
extradition :: transference of criminal
suspect from place of apprehension to
location of legal jurisdiction (Crime)
fable :: story with fantastic events and
creatures (Mythology)
fabulist :: person who writes fables
(Literature)
fairy :: small, supernatural being with
magic powers; (Mythology)
falciform, falcate :: curved like a sickle
(Shapes)
fandango :: dance performed by one
couple (Dance)

frisk :: search for concealed weapons by

patting suspect's clothing (Crime)
fugitive :: person fleeing arrest or
imprisonment (Crime)
fulsome :: disgusting to the senses
(Aroma)
fume :: a cloud of fine particles suspended
in a gas (Aroma)
fumigation :: the application of a gas or
smoke to something for the purpose of
disinfecting it (Aroma)
funk :: strong, offensive smell (Aroma)
fust :: strong smell (Aroma)
galeo phobia :: fear of sharks (Phobias)

fanfare :: trumpet flourish (Music)

gallows :: structure for hanging by the

neck (Death)

farce :: low comedy based on absurd

situations (Theatre)

gameto phobia :: fear of marriage

(Phobias)

farceur (French word) :: writer of broad

comedy (Literature)

gash :: cut deeply (Fights)

faun :: sylvan demigod, ancient Italian

deity in human shape, with horns, pointed
ears and a goat's tail; equivalent to Greek
satyr (Mythology)

gastronomy :: the art of food preparation

(Taste)
gavotte :: French dance music (Music)

gorgons :: three monsters in the form of

winged sisters with power to turn the
person viewing them into stone
(Mythology)
gospel :: popular Christian church music
(Music)
gouge :: curved chisel (Sculpture)
gouge :: force or scoop out (Fights)
gradine :: toothed chisel (Sculpture)
graft :: bribery (Crime)
graphologist :: a person who studies
people's behavior by their hand writing
(Personality Traits)
grapple :: fight closely (Fights)
grave robber :: person who steals corpses
after burial as for medical dissection or
profit; body snatcher (Death)
griffin :: monster (Mythology)
grounding :: finely polished marble
(Sculpture)
guillotine :: structure with large blade for
decapitation (Death)
gulp :: swallow hastily (Eating)
gun moll :: gangster's girl friend, female
criminal (Crime)
gunrunning :: smuggling of firearms
(Crime)

genie :: spirit in human form summoned to gurge :: spiral/whirlpool (Shapes)

carry out one's wishes (Mythology)
Faust :: character in medieval legend who
gustatory :: pertaining to taste or tasting
sold his soul to the devil for knowledge and
genocide :: killing of entire race or nation
(Taste)
power (Mythology)
(Death)
guzzle :: drink greedily in large amounts
felon :: person guilty of a felony (Crime)
genre :: category of composition with a
(Eating)
specific style, content or form (Literature)
felony :: serious crime (Crime)
gymno phobia :: fear of nudity (Phobias)
fence :: receiver of stolen property (Crime) gephyro phobia :: fear of crossing bridges
gymnomania :: compulsion toward
(Phobias)
nakedness (Mania)
fetid :: having a strong, unpleasant smell;
gerasco phobia :: fear of old age (Phobias)
(Aroma)
gyne phobia :: fear of women (Phobias)
ghost writer :: one who writes for another
feud :: protracted hostility between two
gynecomania :: uncontrollable desire for
without receiving credit (Literature)
parties (Fights)
sex in males (satyromania) (Mania)
ghoul :: evil being that robs graves and
fiend :: cunningly evil person (Violence)
hack :: writer working for hire (Literature)
feeds on corpses; criminal who takes
property belonging to someone else with
file :: abrasive metal tool for smoothing
hack :: chop up (Fights)
the intention of keeping it or selling it
and shaping (Sculpture)
(Death)
hagiography :: writings and critical studies
finale :: closing part of a music (Music)
of saints (Religion)
glazomania :: fascination with list making
Fire Eater :: A quarrelsome person; a
(Mania)
hagiology :: literature or biography dealing
hotspur. (Violence)
with lives of saints (Religion)
glee club :: a club organized to sing
together; choral group usually large
flap :: noisy argument (Fights)
halitosis :: having foul smelling breath (a
(Music)
condition) (Aroma)
flay :: strip off skin/whip (Fights)
gloss :: an explanation or definition of an
hallucination :: disorder of imagining
flippant :: a sportive person, pert,
obscure word in a text; continuous
pictures and sounds (unreal)
frivolous, impudent, saucy, rude
commentary appearing in a text
(Psychological)
(Personality Traits)
(Literature)
flog :: beat severely with a whip or rod
(Fights)

glossary :: meanings of words/terms

(Literature)

florimania :: intense interest in plants

(Mania)

gnash :: grind together, of teeth (Fights)

harpy :: malicious fierce-tempered

woman; vicious winged monster; often
depicted as a bird with the head of a
woman (Mythology)

fodder :: food given to animals (Eating)

gnome :: dwarfish creature who lives

underground (Mythology)

have one's foot in the grave :: dying

(Death)

foliate :: branching (Shapes)

gobble :: eat hurriedly (Eating)

folio :: book (Literature)

hearse :: large automobile used to convey

corpse to burial place (Death)

golem :: figure artificially constructed in

human form and endowed with life
(Mythology)

hebdomadal :: weekly (Time)

foray :: raid (Fights)

fork :: point of branching (Place)
foul :: unpleasant smelling (Aroma)
foundry :: process of melting, casting or
molding metals (Sculpture)
foxtrot :: two step ball room dance
(Dance)

goner :: one who is dead or about to die

(Death)
goon :: one hired to attack others
(Violence)
gorge :: stuff (Eating)

hedono phobia :: fear of pleasure

(Phobias)
hedonomania :: craving for pleasure
(Mania)
Helen :: Greek queen whose abduction
instigated the Trojan war (Mythology)
helio mania :: craving for the sun (Mania)

helios :: sun god (Gods)

hymn :: religious or sacred song (Music)

hellion :: mischievous trouble maker

(Violence)

hyno mania :: excessive desire for sleep

31 (Mania)

hemato phobia :: fear of blood (Phobias)

hypergia phobia :: fear of responsibility

(Phobias)

invocation :: act of calling upon deity

usually in prayer (Religion)

hypno phobia :: fear of sleep (Phobias)

iris :: messenger of god representing

rainbow (Mythology)

henchman :: person hired to perform

violent acts for another (Violence)
henotheism :: allegiance to one god while
allowing worship of several other gods by
family or tribe (Religion)
Hercules :: son of Jupiter (Mythology)
heresy :: unorthodox or dissenting
religious belief (Religion)
hermeneutics :: science of theological
interpretation (Religion)
Hermes :: messenger of gods (Gods)

hypnos :: god of sleep (Gods)

hysteria :: excessive emotional excitement
(Psychological)
ichthyo phobia :: fear of fish (Phobias)
iconoclasm :: opposition to accepted
ideas/beliefs (Sociology)
iconoclast :: a person who breaks dogma,
dissenter, rebel (Personality Traits)

hew :: cut or strike with an axe (Fights)

ideo phobia :: fear of ideas/reason

(Phobias)

hiatus :: break/gap in continuity (Time)

ideogram :: written symbol (Language)

highway man :: person who stops

travelers to rob them (Crime)

idiolect :: individual person's distinct

manner of speaking (Language)

hindmost :: nearest the rear position

(Place)

imagery :: language used to evoke mental

picture (Literature)

hippo mania :: craving for horses (Mania)

immemorial :: (time) extending beyond

memory (Time)

hippo phobia :: fear of horses (Phobias)

hippocampus :: a complex neural structure
(shaped like a sea horse) consisting of
gray matter and located on the floor of
each lateral ventric; creature who is half
horse and half dolphin (Mythology)

impinge :: collide with (Fights)

in extremis :: at the point of death (Death)

incarceration :: imprisonment (Crime)

hora :: traditional round dance (Dance)

horn/meniscus :: curved ends of a
crescent (Shapes)
hornbook :: child's primer (Literature)
horse play :: playful fighting (Fights)
hosanna :: cry of love for god (Religion)
hot :: sharply pungent/peppery (Taste)
hothead :: hotspur; person easily aroused
to anger or attacks (Violence)
hub :: focus (Place)
hydro mania :: fascination with water
(Mania)
hydro phobia :: fear of water (Phobias)

jab :: poke/punch (Fights)

jargon :: 1) technical or specialized
terminology of a group or profession 2)
obscure or unintelligible language
(Language)
jingoism :: excessive love toward one's
nation (Sociology)
jingoist :: a person with a negative
patriotism (Personality Traits)
joust :: contest between knights mounted
on horse back (Fights)
juicy :: succulent, mouth watering (Taste)

kathiso mania :: craving to sit (Mania)

keen :: loud wailing lamentation for the
dead (Death)
kick the bucket (slang) :: die (Death)
klepto mania :: impulse to steal (Mania)

incinerate :: burn (Fights)

kleptomaniac :: person unable to stop

stealing (Crime)

incubus :: evil demon/nightmare

(Mythology)

knave :: unprincipled, untrustworthy or

dishonest person (Violence)

indoctrination :: training others in one's

homonym :: word with same pronunciation belief (Sociology)
and spelling but different meaning
infantilism :: abnormal regression to
(Language)
childish behavior in adulthood
(Psychological)
homophony :: music in which one melody
dominates (Music)
inferno :: violent conflagration (Violence)
hoodlum :: tough, young street ruffian
infraction :: violation of law (Crime)
member of lawless gang; hooligan
(Violence)
ingest :: take food into body by swallowing
(Eating)
hoodlum :: violent young ruffian (Crime)
hooligan :: street gang member (Crime)

isometric :: having equality of

measurement, symmetrical (Dimension)

juvenile (juvenile crime) :: criminal under

the age of delinquent illegal majority
(Crime)

improvisation :: composition of music

while performing (Music)

homograph :: word with same spelling but

different meaning from another word
(Language)

irrupt :: burst or break in violently (Fights)

impale :: pierce with sharp stick or rod

(Fights)

hold up :: armed robbery (Crime)

homicido mania :: impulse to commit

murder (Mania)

irony :: words expressing other than literal

meanings (Literature)

junk food :: low quality food (Eating)

implode :: burst inward (Fights)

homicide :: murder (Death)

inurn :: place ashes in a burial urn (Death)

immolation :: death by fire (Death)

hodo phobia :: fear of travel (Phobias)

holocaust :: genocide (Death)

intonation :: production of a tone with a

voice or instrument (Music)

knell :: bell tolled to signal death or

funeral (Death)
lacerate :: tear or cut; deeply hurt the
feelings of (Fights)
lalo phobia :: fear of speaking (Phobias)
lambada :: competitive acrobatic dance
(Dance)
lamentation :: mourning aloud for the
dead (Death)

ingurgitate :: consume greedily in large

amounts (Eating)

larceny :: theft of personal property

(Crime)

inhume :: bury, inter (Death)

lares :: household gods who are spirits of

ancestors (Mythology)

insomnia :: chronic or extreme

sleeplessness (Psychological)
interim :: interval of time (Time)

lash :: strike with a whip (Fights)

leitmotif :: dominant theme (Literature)

interlude :: short time intervening between leviathan :: huge biblical sea monster
events or dramatic acts (Time)
either reptile or whale (Mythology)
interlude :: brief musical passage played
between longer piece, drama or religious
service (Music)
internecine :: mutually destructive
(Violence)
interregnum :: 1) periods of vacancy of
throne 2) period when there is lapse in
normal govt functions (Time)

hymen :: god of marriage (Gods)

intestate :: without a valid will at the time

of death (Death)

hymn :: sacred song in praise of god

(Religion)

intimidate :: bully (Fights)

lexical :: pertaining to the words or

vocabulary of a language (Language)
lexicography :: art and practice of making
dictionaries (Language)
lexicology :: study of formation of words
(Language)
lexicon :: vocabulary listing of words in a
language (Language)
libel :: publication of statement damaging
to another's reputation (Crime)

libretto :: words and text of opera/oratorio

(Music)

maverick :: a person who breaks

conventions, rules (Personality Traits)

mugger :: who assaults others with intent

to rob (Violence)

lieder :: stylized German song (Music)

mayhem :: willful infliction of bodily injury

on another person (Crime)

mugger :: person attacking and robbing

others on street (Crime)

mayhem :: maiming or disfiguring of

another person (Violence)

mugging :: robbery (Crime)

limbo :: competitive acrobatic dance

(Dance)
lindy :: energetic dance (Dance)
lingo :: language especially jargon or
slang, of a particular field, group or
individual (Language)
lingua franca :: language used for
communication between persons who
ordinarily speak different languages
(Language)
linguist :: specialist in languages; polyglot
(Language)
liturgy :: rites of religious worship
(Religion)
loanword :: word borrowed from another
language (Language)

mazurka :: lively folk dance (Dance)

meet one's maker :: die (Death)
melancholia :: deep sadness
(Psychological)

munch :: chew steadily (Eating)

murder :: alter, blow away, bump off, chill,
dispatch, do in, dust, grease, knock off,
rub out, snuff out, wax, zap (Death)
muso phobia :: fear of mice (Phobias)

melee :: confusing crush of battling

opponents (Fights)

mutiny :: a military rebellion against the

authority (Crime)

melodrama :: dramatic form that

exaggerates emotions and emphasizes plot
over (Theatre)

myso phobia :: fear of dirt/contamination

(Phobias)

mendicant :: member of religious order

living by alms or charity (Religion)

nadir :: 1) lowest point 2) opposite to

zenith in celestial sphere (Place)
naiad :: freshwater nymph (Mythology)

mentor :: 1) a teacher 2) a guide

(Education)

naos :: ancient temple/shrine (Religion)

mercury :: god of communication (Gods)

narcissism :: self love (Psychological)

logo phobia :: fear of words (Phobias)

merengue :: ball room dance (Dance)

longevity :: length of a life span (Time)

mermaid :: creature with fatal charm who

is half woman and half fish (Mythology)

narcissus :: youth who loved his own

reflection and was turned into a flower
(Mythology)

logo mania :: obsession with talking

(Mania)

lunette :: crescent/half moon (Shapes)

narcolepsy :: frequent uncontrollable

desire for sleep (Psychological)

lustrum :: period of 5 years (Time)

metalanguage :: language used to

describe or analyze language (Language)

lynching :: execution usually hanging by

mob without legal sanction (Death)

miasma :: noxious exhilation from

decomposing organic matter (Aroma)

lysso phobia :: fear of madness (Phobias)

micro phobia :: fear of germs (Phobias)

maestro :: respected conductor orchestra

leader (Music)

Midas :: legendary Phrygian king whose

touch turned objects to gold (Mythology)

magnum opus :: one author's classic

masterpiece (Literature)

mimesis :: imitation of person's

style/grammar (Literature)

necromancy :: witch craft (Death)

maieusio phobia :: fear of pregnancy

(Phobias)

Minerva :: god of wisdom & arts (Gods)

necromancy :: list of those who have died

within a given period (Death)

maim :: disfigure; mutilate (Fights)

malfeasance :: a wrong doing committed
by a public official (Crime)
malodorous :: foul smelling (Aroma)
mambo :: ball room dance (Dance)
man of letters :: literary scholar
(Literature)
maniac :: wildly insane person (Violence)
manitou :: spirit that controls nature and
is source of natural and supernatural
power (Mythology)
manslaughter :: accidental murder without
malicious intent (Death)
manslaughter :: taking of human life by
accident or negligence (Crime)
march :: music for marching usually in 4/4
time (Music)
mars :: god of war (Gods)

minotaur :: bull (Mythology)

minuet :: early French dance (Music)

nasal :: pertaining to the nose or nostrils

(Aroma)
nave :: main axis of church or cathedral
(Religion)
navel :: central point/middle (Place)
necro phobia :: fear of death (Phobias)

necropolis :: cemetery (Death)

minuet :: slow, stately dance (Dance)

nectar :: wine conferring immortality

(Mythology)

misanthrope :: a hater of mankind

(Personality Traits)

nemesis :: goddess of punishment/reward

(Gods)

mnemosyne :: mother of muses and

goddess of memory (Mythology)

neo phobia :: fear of novelty (Phobias)

Mnemosyne :: god of memory (Gods)

neologism :: new word or recently coined

word (Language)

modulation :: change from one key to

another (Music)

neophyte :: recent convert to a faith

(Religion)

monasticism :: system and way of life of

monks (Religion)

Neptune :: god of sea god (Gods)

monody :: elegy or dirge sung by one

person (Music)
monologue :: long speech by one
individual/soliloquy (Literature)
monstrosity :: very large scale, severe
shocking event (Violence)

Nereid :: sea nymph (Mythology)

nescience :: agnosticism (Religion)
nettle :: irritate/provoke (Fights)
nibble :: eat in small amounts (Eating)
nihilism :: a belief that there is no purpose
to existence (Sociology)

martyrdom :: self (Death)

morbidity :: dwelling on gloomy thoughts

of death (Death)

masque :: elaborate costume play

(Theatre)

morgue :: storage place for dead bodies

pending identification and burial (Death)

mass :: music for solemn roman catholic

service (Music)

moribund :: dying; about to die (Death)

nix :: water spirit that lures its victims into

its underwater home (Mythology)

Nike :: goddess of victory (Gods)

nip :: biting taste (Taste)

morpheus :: god of dreams (Gods)

nocturne :: early French dance (Music)

massacre :: ruthless killing of often

helpless persons (numerous) (Death)

Mors :: god of death (Gods)

Nyx :: goddess of night (Gods)

masticate :: chew (Eating)

motif :: recurring theme (Literature)

nullifidian :: person without religious faith

skeptic (Religion)

matricide :: killing of one's mother (Death)

motif :: recurrent theme in myth or legend

(Mythology)

mausoleum :: large building for the above

ground entombment (Death)

motif :: recurring subject, theme or idea

(Music)

nycto phobia :: fear of night/darkness

(Phobias)
obituary :: biographical notice of person's
death published in newspaper (Death)

oblation :: offering to god (bread & wine)

(Religion)

worship of eclectic body of deities

(Religion)

pew :: bench or seat on which several

persons sit in a church (Religion)

oblique :: slanting or sloping (Dimension)

pantheon :: temple dedicated to all gods

(Religion)

phasmo phobia :: fear of ghosts (Phobias)

obsequy :: funeral rite or ceremony

(Death)
obtuse :: an angle greater than 900, dull
(Dimension)
ochlo phobia :: fear of crowds (Phobias)
odium :: small theatre or concert hall
(Theatre)
ogre :: hideous giant cannibal (Mythology)
olfaction :: 1) sense of small 2) act of
smelling (Aroma)
Olympiad :: period of 4 years (Time)
Olympus :: mountain home of the gods
(Mythology)
omnibus :: book containing the works by a
single author (Literature)
omphalos :: center/navel (Place)
onomastics :: study of origin and use of
proper nouns (Language)
onomato phobia :: fear of a name or
particular word (Phobias)
onslaught :: vigorous powerful attack
(Fights)

pantomime :: performance without spoken

words (Theatre)
papacy :: institution and office of the pope
(Religion)

philology :: study of written texts to

determine meaning and authenticity
(Language)

parable :: short allegorical story with a

moral (Mythology)

Philomath :: a lover of learning

(Education)

paranoia :: persistent delusions of

persecution or suspicion of others
(Psychological)

phobo phobia :: fear of developing a

phobia (Phobias)

parish :: local church (Religion)

parlance :: specified style of speaking
(Language)
parole :: a conditional release from
imprisonment that entitles the person to
serve the remainder of the sentence
outside the prison as long as the terms of
release are complied with (Crime)

phonogram :: symbol representing word

sound or syllable (Language)
photo phobia :: fear of light (Phobias)

parricide :: killing of one's parent or close

relative (Death)

pilferage :: theft of small amounts done

over a time to avoid detection (Crime)

parsimonious :: a stingy person, niggard,

miserly, penurious, petty, tightfisted
(Personality Traits)

pillage :: robbery or plunder (in war)

(Fights)

opera :: musical drama (Theatre)

operetta :: romantic, light opera with
songs and dance (Theatre)

patho phobia :: fear of disease (Phobias)

optimist :: a person with a positive

attitude toward life, pollyanna (Personality
Traits)

phono phobia :: fear of noise (Phobias)

pickpocket :: cannon; hook; a thief who

steals from the pockets or purses of others
in public places (Crime)

pastoral :: music of simple, rural life

(Music)

ophidiform :: resembling snakes (Shapes)

phoenix :: immortal bird that cremates

itself every 500 years, then reborn from
ashes (Mythology)

paroxysm :: convulsive and uncontrollable

seizure (Violence)

opera :: drama in which text is entirely

passus :: division of story/poem
sung or acted to orchestral accompaniment
(Literature)
usually with scenery and costumes (Music)

ophicio phobia :: fear of snakes (Phobias)

philanthropist :: a lover of mankind

(Personality Traits)

pathos :: evocation of pity (Literature)

patricide :: killing of one's father (Death)
paw :: handle roughly (Fights)
peculation :: embezzlement of public funds
(Crime)

piquant :: pleasingly sharp/biting or tart

(Taste)
piracy :: robbery on the high seas; taking
a ship away from the control of those who
are legally entitled to it (Crime)
pit :: sunken area in orchestra in which
orchestra sits during opera or ballet
performance (Music)
pixie :: fairy, said to be the spirit of the
dead 59 (Mythology)
plagiarism :: literary theft (Literature)
plague :: torment/infest (Fights)

opus :: literary work (Literature)

pedagogue :: a teacher (Education)

ore :: monster similar to an ogre

(Mythology)

pedagogue :: a teacher (Personality Traits) plumb :: perpendicular/exactly vertical

(Place)
pedagogy :: the science of art of teaching
plunder :: robbery by force (Crime)
(Education)

ornitho phobia :: fear of birds (Phobias)

orthography :: science of standard spelling
(Language)
orthopraxy :: correct religious behavior
and rituals according to specific doctrine
(Religion)
overture :: musical introduction to ballet
(Music)
pageant :: elaborately staged, open air
drama (Theatre)

pedo phobia :: fear of children (Phobias)

Plutus :: god of wealth (Gods)

peltate :: shield shaped (Shapes)

pneumato phobia :: fear of spirits

(Phobias)

penates :: gods who serve as family

household guardians (Mythology)
penia phobia :: fear of poverty (Phobias)
penitent :: person who confesses sin and
seeks repentance (Religion)

palatable :: good tasting (Taste)

penitentiary :: maximum security prison

(in us) (Crime)

palate :: sense of taste (Taste)

penname :: pseudonym (Literature)

paleontology :: deals with life forms

existing in earlier geological periods
(Anthropology)

perennial :: occurring year after year

(Time)

pall :: coffin; cloth draped over coffin

(Death)

playwright :: dramatist (Literature)

perjury :: lying under oath/giving false

testimony in court (Crime)

pnigo phobia :: fear of choking (Phobias)

poaching :: taking of fish or game from
private property or protected reserve
(Crime)
Poetaster :: inferior poet (Literature)
poet laurate :: most eminent poet of a
nation during a specific time (Literature)
pogrom :: organized massacre of a
minority people (Death)
polka :: lively dance for couples (Dance)
poltergeist :: noisy ghost (Mythology)

persona :: character in a play, novel or

poem (Literature)

polyandry :: having more than one

husband at a time (Anthropology)

palmate :: resembling a hand with fingers

spread (Shapes)

pessimist :: a person with gloomy attitude

toward life, cassandra, worrywart
(Personality Traits)

polygamy :: institution of marriage which

permits more than one marriage
(Anthropology)

Pandora :: original woman who opened

forbidden box, bringing woes and evils to
humanity (Mythology)

pestilence :: devastating epidemic of

contaguious disease (Death)

polygamy :: having more than one wife at

a time (Anthropology)

pestle :: grind or pulverize (Fights)

polyglot :: multi lingual person who knows

several languages (Language)

pallbearer :: one of the several persons

carrying coffin to grave (Death)

pantheism :: 1) belief that god is

manifested by and through the universe 2)

polyglot :: an expert in various languages

(Personality Traits)

quixotic :: an impractical person, idealistic,

utopian, visionary (Personality Traits)

rustling :: stealing usually, cattle or horses

(Crime)

polygraph :: lie detector (Crime)

quotidian :: daily/every day 2) twice a

year (Time)

sachet :: small bag or case of perfumed

powder used for scenting clothes (Aroma)

racketeering :: operation of a business

characterized by systematically dishonest
practices (Crime)

sacrilege :: act or statement that degrades

the sacred (Religion)

polysemous :: a word having many

meanings (Language)
pomander :: ball shaped mixture of
aromatic substance (Aroma)
pontiff :: pope (Religion)
posthumous :: occurring after one's death
(Death)
potpourri :: fragrant mixture of dried
flower petals or spices (Aroma)
praxeology :: a science which deals with
human conduct (Anthropology)
predator :: one who lives by plunder and
robbery (Violence)
predecease :: die first/die before another
person or event (Death)
predicant :: preacher (Religion)
prelude :: a musical introduction, later an
independent piece (Music)
processional :: hymn sung at the
introduction (Music)
prod :: poke with a pointed stick (Fights)

rancid :: having foul taste (Taste)

safecracking :: forcible entry into locked

safe to steal its contents (Crime)

rancid :: having an unpleasant stale smell

(Aroma)

saga :: legendary narrative about heroic

adventures (Mythology)

rank :: having foul taste (Taste)

sagittate :: shaped like an arrow head

(Shapes)

rank :: having an offensive foul smell/taste

salsa :: popular dance performed to
(Aroma)
rhythm (Dance)
ransack :: plunder (Fights)
sanctuary :: sacred portion of church
rapine :: pillage (Fights)
surrounding altar (Religion)
ravening :: excessively greedy and
grasping; devouring or craving food in
great quantities ()
recessional :: hymn sung at the conclusion
of a religious service (Music)
recidivism :: repetition of criminal acts
(Crime)
recital :: concert given by individual
performer (Music)

proem :: preface/introduction (Literature)

reclining :: leaning backward from vertical

position (Place)

prologue :: 1) preface/introduction 2)
speech addressed to audience at the
beginning of a play (Literature)

recreant :: one who renounces faith

(Religion)

prom :: formal dance for high school

students (Dance)
proselyte :: new convert to a religion
(Religion)
proselytize :: attempt to convert others to
one's belief or religion (Religion)
prostrate :: lying face down on the ground
(Place)
protagonist :: main character in a
narrative (hero/heroine) (Literature)
prowler :: person entering another's home
for purpose of robbery or violence (Crime)

recumbent :: reclining (Place)

redaction :: something put in writing;
edition (Literature)
redemption :: salvation and deliverance
from evil (Religion)
redolent :: fragrant (Aroma)
reek :: strong unpleasant smell (Aroma)
reel :: lively traditional folk dance (Dance)
regicide :: killing of one's king or queen
(Death)

pseudonym :: fictitious name for writing

(Literature)

renegade :: a person who runs away from

a group, defector, apostate, deserter,
recreant, runagate, turncoat (Personality
Traits)

pulpit :: lectern from which preacher

conducts religious service (Religion)

reprieve :: delay in execution of sentence

(Crime)

puritan :: a person who is strict in religious reprobate :: one who is damned (Religion)
and moral matters (Personality Traits)
requiem :: composition written for funeral
mass (Music)
putrefy :: cause to rot or decay with
offensive odor (Aroma)
resurrection :: act of raising from the dead
putrid :: a state of foul smelling due to
(Death)
decaying (Aroma)
retreat :: period of seclusion for religious
pyre :: combustible heap for burning dead exercises and meditation (Religion)
body as part of funeral rite (Death)
revenant :: one who returns from death
pyro phobia :: fear of fire (Phobias)
(Death)

Santa Claus :: benevolent purveyor of gifts

(Mythology)
soporific :: producing flavor (Taste)
sarcasm :: ironical, caustic language
against an individual (Literature)
sarcophagus :: coffin (Death)
savory :: fragrant (Aroma)
scald :: burn, (Fights)
score :: written copy of composition with
all parts arranged on staves, used during
performance (Music)
scoto phobia :: fear of darkness (Phobias)
screen writers :: authors of scripts for
movies/television (Literature)
scribe :: 1) copier of manuscripts before
invention of printing 2) author, esp. a
journalist (scrivener) (Literature)
scrivener :: professional or public copyist
writer (Literature)
scrumptious :: delicious (Taste)
scuffle :: confused disordered fight/tussle
(Fights)
sear :: burn or char the surface of (Fights)
sedition :: incitement to rebellion against
government (Crime)
selene :: moon goddess (Gods)
semantics :: branch dealing with nature,
structure and development of meaning in
language (Language)
semiannual :: 1) occurring every half year
(Time)
seminarian :: person studying to become
member of the clergy (Religion)
seminary :: institution providing training
for priesthood (Religion)
semiotics :: study of theory, signs and
symbols in language (Language)

quack :: a person who deceives others by

false appearance (Personality Traits)

revue :: series of unrelated skits, songs

and dances (olio) (Theatre)

septennial :: occurring every 7 years

(Time)

quadrennial :: 1) occurring every 4 years

2) lasting four years (Time)

riff :: short melodic passage played on an

instrument (Music)

sepulcher :: tomb or other place of burial

(Death)

quaff :: drink deeply/thirstily (Eating)

riot :: disturb the peace or public order

(Fights)

seraph :: one of the highest order of the

angels (Religion)

roughneck :: crude, rowdy person

(Violence)

sextet :: composition for one or two

instruments (Music)

quarto :: book page size 1/4th of a

fullscape (Literature)
quash :: suppress/subdue (Fights)

ruckus :: noisy commotion, rumpus

quincentennial :: 500th anniversary (Time) (Fights)
quinquennial :: occurring every 5 years
(Time)

ruffian :: brutal, lawless person (Violence)

sexton :: person who watches over church

property and usually rings bells for service
(Religion)
shambles :: place of slaughter or wreckage
(Violence)

sheet music :: printed copy of composition

(Music)
shoplifting :: theft from store by person
posing as customer (Crime)
shove :: push roughly (Fights)
showboat :: floating river boat used as
theatre (Theatre)
showcase :: small production used to
expose actors to talent agents, producers
and directors (Theatre)

spitfire :: highly emotional and quicktempered person (especially a girl or

woman) (Violence)
spitfire :: a lady who gets irritated easily
(Personality Traits)
spoliation :: robbery and plunder
(Violence)
squabble :: noisy dispute or brawl (Fights)
squatter :: person illegally occupying
another's vacant property (Crime)

shuffle :: dance characterized by scrapping

feet across the floor (Dance)

staccato :: with abrupt, distinct breaks

between notes (Music)

sibyl :: any woman who served as

mouthpiece of the gods in delivering
prophesies and oracles (Mythology)

stake :: wood post to which person is tied

and burned (Death)

synagogue :: Jewish place of worship

(Religion)
syncretism :: attempted reconciliation of
elements from two or more religions to
create a new religion (Religion)
synod :: church council (Religion)
syntax :: study of rules for arranging
words to form phrases, clauses and
sentences (Language)
syrupy :: very sweet (Taste)
taboo :: an inhibition or ban resulting from
social custom or emotional aversion
(Anthropology)
tacho phobia :: fear of speed (Phobias)

stanza :: division of poem (Literature)

tang :: strong/distinctive taste (Taste)

starvation :: total deprivation of food

(Death)

tango :: ball room dance (Dance)

sight :: read (Music)

simile :: speech comparing two unlike
things (Literature)

statuary :: 1) groups of statues 2) art of

making statues (Sculpture)

sinfonietta :: small orchestra (Music)

stellate :: star shaped (Shapes)

siren :: singing sea nymph who charms

sailors to their deaths (Mythology)

steward :: who supervises table wines

(Eating)

six feet under (slang) :: dead and buried

(Death)

stillbirth :: birth of dead child (Death)

televangelist :: evangelist who preaches

over television (Religion)

stillborn :: dead at birth (Death)

tenor :: male voice or voice part (Music)

stink :: emit a strong, offensive smell

(Aroma)

terato phobia :: fear of monsters (Phobias)

siderodromo :: fear of trains (Phobias)

skeptic :: a person who doubts, doubter,

cynic, agnostic, unbeliever (Personality
Traits)
skirmish :: light, brief conflict (Fights)

stint :: limited period of time (Time)

slander :: making of false or malicious

verbal statements damaging to another's
reputation (Crime)

stockade :: military prison (Crime)

slang :: informal often nonstandard

language consisting of newly coined words
and extended meanings (Language)

stoic :: a person not moved by pleasure or

pain, impassive, apathetic, nonchalant,
poised (Personality Traits)

tap :: hit lightly (Fights)

tape phobia :: fear of being buried alive
(Phobias)
tap :: (military) signal to turn the lights
out; bugle call at military funerals (Death)

terminal :: dying (Death)

terpsichorean :: dancer pertaining to a
dance (Dance)
testate :: having made and left a valid will;
opposite of intestate (Death)
thalasso phobia :: fear of seas (Phobias)

stoning :: being beaten by throwing stones

(Death)

thanato phobia :: fear of death (Phobias)

slapstick :: low comedy dependent on

physical humor (Theatre)

stork :: bird (Mythology)

thanatos :: 1) instinctual desire for death

2) personification of death (Death)

slasher :: one who attacks with knife or

blade (Violence)

strangulation :: stoppage of breath by

compression of throat (Death)

thanatos :: god of death (Gods)

slay :: murder (Death)

strawhat :: a stiff straw hat with a flat

crown; headdress that protects the head
from bad weather; has shaped crown and
usually a brim (Theatre)

slug :: hit hard with fist (Fights)

slurp :: drink/eat food noisily (Eating)
smack :: taste/flavor (Taste)
sniff :: scent or odor perceived (Aroma)
snipe :: shoot at from a distance (Fights)
snuffle :: draw air into nose so as to smell
something (Aroma)
sociolect :: dialect used by a particular
social group (Language)

strife :: contest/fight (Fights)

stuffy :: poorly ventilated; lacking fresh air
2) trace of scent in the air (Aroma)
stylized :: conforming to established style
rather than natural style (Literature)
subornation :: inducing another to commit
an illegal act (Crime)
succumb :: die (Death)

sociology :: sociology is the study of

society (Sociology)

suffix :: affix added after base word

(Language)

sommelier :: wine steward (Eating)

sumptuous :: a grand/heavy meal (Taste)

somnus :: god of sleep (Gods)

supplication :: earnest prayer of petition

(Religion)

sophomore :: a second year student of a

school/college (Education)
soprano :: highest female vocal range or
vocal part (Music)
spall :: chip or splinter broken from stone
in carving (Sculpture)
spat :: petty quarrel (Fights)
sphinx :: Greek mythology) a riddling
winged monster with a woman's head and
breast on a lion's body; daughter of
Typhoon; an inscrutable person who keeps
his thoughts and intentions secret
(Mythology)

swan song :: last song some time before

death (Death)
swindling :: performing fraudulent
business transactions (Crime)
switch back :: zigzag arrangement
(Shapes)
sylph :: air spirit; slender graceful young
woman (Mythology)
symphony :: composition for orchestra
(Music)
symphony :: full orchestra (Music)

theologian :: person who has studied

religious faith and practices (Religion)
theology :: systematic study of god and
religious faith and practices (Religion)
theonomy :: state of individual or society
that regards its own nature as being in
accordance with divine nature (Religion)
thermo phobia :: fear of heat (Phobias)
thesaurus :: book listing words and their
synonyms and antonyms (Language)
threnody :: dirge or song of lamentation at
funeral (Music)
threnody :: elegy (Death)
throttle :: choke/strangle (Fights)
thug :: brutal thief (Violence)
thug :: brutal petty criminal (Crime)
tiff :: petty quarrel (Fights)
time-out :: cessation of activity for
specified duration esp. in cessation of
activity for specified duration esp. in
athletic contest (Time)
tithing :: paying of one; The act of levying
or taking tithes; that which is taken as
tithe; a tithe (Religion)
tolo phobia :: fear of child birth (Phobias)
tome :: very large or scholarly work
(Literature)
tomo phobia :: fear of surgery (Phobias)

toothsome :: palatable (Taste)

topo phobia :: fear of particular place
(Phobias)
torment :: torture (Fights)
totem :: a clan identified by their kinship
to a common totemic object; emblem
consisting of an object such as an animal
or plant; serves as the symbol of a family
or clan (especially among American
Indians) (Sculpture)
toxi phobia :: fear of being poisoned
(Phobias)
trample :: crush under one's feet (Fights)
transmigration :: passage of soul at death
from body of one being to another (Death)
traumato phobia :: fear of injury (Phobias)
treason :: betrayal of one's country or
government (Crime)

language distinct from written language)

(Language)
vespers :: prayer said at evening (Time)
vestry :: room in church for storage of
vestments (Religion)
vicennial :: twentieth anniversary
occurring every twenty years (Time)
vigilante :: individual or group attempting
to enforce law and punish offenders
without legal authority (Crime)
vignette :: brief incident/scene/story
(Literature)
virago :: a noisy or scolding or
domineering woman; a large strong and
aggressive woman (Violence)
virtuoso :: performer with great technical
skill or artistry (Music)
vixen :: ill (Violence)

trishaideka phobia :: fear of number 13

(Phobias)

vocalist :: person who has received formal

voice training to perform opera (Music)

triton :: half fish/half man (Mythology)

votary :: person bound by religious vows

(Religion)

truant :: an irregular student (Education)

truant :: a student who is habitually
absent from school (Personality Traits)
tumulus :: ancient grave (Death)
turnkey :: jailer (Crime)
tutti :: performed by all voices or
instruments together (Music)
twilight :: period of dimming light just
after sunset (Time)
unction :: anointing with oil as
consecration (Religion)
unction :: anointing with oil as
consecration (Religion)

Vulcan :: god of forge/fire (Gods)

waft :: be driven or carried along, as by
the air (Aroma)
waltz :: music for German dance (Music)
waltz :: classical ball room dance (Dance)
warden :: prison administrator (Crime)
warder :: jailer (Crime)
whiff :: slight trace of odor or smell of
something (Aroma)
wordsmith :: a skilled writer (Literature)
wreck :: ruin/destroy (Fights)

undine :: female water spirit (Mythology)

wrench :: twist or pull sharply (Fights)

unfrock :: deprive priest of right to

exercise office (Religion)

wrest :: wrench or seize violently (Fights)

unicorn :: creature with horse's body,

lion's tail and single horn representing
purity and supernatural powers
(Mythology)
unplugged :: without electronic
amplification or effects (Music)
uxoricide :: killing of one's wife (Death)
valedictorian :: a bright student with a
very high grade (Personality Traits)
valedictorian :: a high-ranking student
(Education)
vampire :: reanimated corpse who exists
on blood of sleeping victims (Mythology)
vandal :: person engaged in wanton
violence to property usually not motivated
by theft (Crime)
vandal :: destructive person (Violence)
vandalism :: defacing or damaging of
another's property purposelessly (Crime)
vanquish :: conquer or defeat in a battle
(Fights)
vault :: underground burial chamber, tomb
(Death)
vendetta :: prolonged feud involving killing
for revenge (Fights)
vent :: passage in mold through which
gasses escape during casting (Sculpture)
vernacular :: language or dialect
indigenous to place (common spoken

xeno phobia :: fear of dear or dislike of

foreigners (Phobias)
xero phobia :: fear of dry places (Phobias)
yank :: pull sharply (Fights)
zest :: agreeable taste (Taste)
zoo phobia :: fear of animals (Phobias)

Big Book List

Here is a list of words
which have appeared in
the Big Book. The
number besides them
indicates their
frequency of occurrence
in the book.
abate 3
abeyance 3
abscond 3
abstemious 2
abstruse 3
absurd 2
accorded 2
acknowledge 2
adamant 2
adept 2
administering 2
admonish 2
adulation 2
adumbrate 2
aesthete 2
affirm 2
agenda 2
aggrandize 2
aggressive 3
agility 2
agog 2
alacrity 2
allegation 2
allegiance 2
allusion 4
ally 2
ambivalent 2
ameliorate 3
amenable 2
anachronistic 2
analgesic 2
anesthetic 4
annotate 2
annul 2
anomalous 2
antiseptic 4
aphoristic 2
apocryphal 2
apparition 2
appraise 3
apprehension 3
apprise 4
approbation 3
aptitude 2
arable 2
articulate 3
ascetic 2
ascribe 2
asperity 3
aspersion 3
aspiration 3
assess 2
assuage 3
astringent 2
astute 2
atrophy 2
attentive 3
attorney 2
augment 2
austere 4
authentic 2
avaricious 2
aver 5
avert 4
avid 2
awe 2
babble 2
balk 2
banal 4
bask 2
belie 3
benevolence 2
benign 2
bilk 2
bizarre 2
blithe 2
blunder 2
blush 2
board 2
bog 2
bogus 2
bolster 2
bombast 4
boor 3
brisk 2
brittle 2

brood 2
burgeon 2
burlesque 2
buttress 4
cajole 2
cant 2
castigate 4
cavern 2
censure 2
censure 2
cessation 2
charter 2
chary 2
chicanery 3
circumlocution 3
circumspect 3
claim 2
clot 2
clumsy 4
coagulant 2
coax 4
coerce 4
cogent 6
cognizance 2
coherent 2
collusion 2
commensurate 4
commentator 2
commitment 2
complacent 2
complaisant 5
compliment 4
composure 2
compound 2
concede 4
conceit 2
concession 3
conciliatory 2
concur 2
condescend 3
conducive 2
confidential 2
confine 2
conflate 2
confound 3
confrontation 2
congruent 3
conifer 2
conjecture 2
conjure 2
conscript 3
consensus 2
consign 5
console 4
conspicuous 4
conspire 3
consternation 3
contend 2
contention 3
contentious 2
contingent 2
contrite 2
controversial 2
convoke 2
convoluted 2
corpuscle 2
corroborate 2
covert 3
covet 2
cower 3
coy 2
crave 2
craven 2
crease 3
credulity 2
crockery 2
cues 2
culpable 2
curb 3
dabble 2
dampen 2
dazzle 2
debacle 2
debilitate 3
decorous 2
decorum 3
decree 2
decry 2
dedication 2
defer 3
deference 3
defiance 2
defiant 2
delineate 2

deluge 2
demote 3
demur 2
denounce 2
denunciation 2
deposition 2
deprivation 2
descry 5
despicable 2
detached 2
deter 3
devoid 2
diatribe 5
dichotomy 2
diffident 3
digress 2
dilettante 2
din 2
dirge 2
disabuse 4
disburse 2
discomfit 2
discourse 5
discreet 2
discrete 4
disdain 2
disguise 2
disinterested 3
dislodge 2
dismiss 3
disparage 2
disparate 2
disparity 2
dispassionate 3
dispel 2
disprove 2
dissemble 3
dissent 3
dissident 2
distend 2
distract 3
distraught 2
divest 2
divulge 2
dormant 2
drab 2
drawl 2
dread 2
droll 2
drone 2
dubious 2
dupe 2
dwarf 2
dwindle 2
ebullient 2
eclectic 2
efficacious 2
effrontery 3
egalitarian 2
elicit 2
eloquence 2
elucidate 3
elusive 2
embellish 2
embrace 2
emissary 2
encomium 2
encroach 3
encumber 2
endorse 2
enervate 2
engender 2
engrossed 3
enlist 2
ensign 2
entrenched 2
ephemeral 2
epistemology 2
epistle 2
epithet 2
epitome 2
equivocation 4
eradicate 2
eschew 3
esoteric 2
espouse 2
espy 2
ethos 2
euphemism 2
euphoria 4
euphorism 2
evanescent 2
evict 2
evoke 2

exacerbate 2
excerpted 4
exculpate 2
exemplary 3
exemplify 3
exhort 2
exigent 3
exonerate 2
expend 2
expiate 2
explicit 2
exploit 3
extempore 2
extent 2
extol 2
extravagant 2
exuberant 2
facetious 2
facilitate 5
factions 2
faddish 2
fallacious 2
fallacy 2
falter 2
fanatical 2
fawn 2
feckless 4
felicitate 2
felon 2
fervent 2
fervor 2
feud 3
fickle 3
fidget 2
finicky 2
flamboyant 2
flatter 3
flaunt 2
fledgling 3
flinch 2
flippant 2
flirt 3
flop 2
florid 2
flounder 3
flout 3
fluffy 2
fluke 2
flustered 2
foible 2
foment 2
foolhardy 3
foppish 2
foreclosure 2
forestall 2
forge 4
forgery 2
formidable 2
forthright 3
fortuitous 2
foster 4
fracas 3
fraud 2
frenzy 4
fret 2
frivolous 5
frown 2
fulminate 2
furtive 2
gaffe 3
gainsay 2
garner 3
garrulous 2
gauche 3
gavel 2
germ 2
gird 2
gist 2
glib 2
gloat 3
goad 3
gorge 2
gouge 2
gravel 4
gravity 2
grazing 2
gregarious 2
grill 2
grovel 2
grudging 2
guarded 2
gullible 2
gush 2
hackneyed 2

hallucinate 2
hamper 2
harangue 4
harbor 2
herbaceous 2
heresy 2
heretical 3
heterodox 2
high-spirited 2
hoax 2
holster 2
homeopathy 2
hyperbole 2
hypocritical 2
idiosyncrasy 2
idolatrous 2
illicit 2
immutable 2
impair 2
impassive 2
impede 2
imperative 2
impervious 3
impetuous 3
implacable 3
imposture 3
impregnable 2
impromptu 2
improvise 3
impudent 2
impugn 3
impunity 3
inadvertent 2
inchoate 3
incidence 2
incident 2
incipient 2
incongruous 3
incursion 2
indict 2
indigenous 2
indignant 2
induce 3
indulge 2
inept 3
inextricable 3
infiltrate 2
infuse 2
ingenuous 2
ingrained 4
inimical 2
iniquitous 3
innocuous 2
inopportune 2
inquisitive 2
insignia 4
insinuate 2
insipid 4
insular 3
intact 2
interregnum 3
intransigent 3
intrepid 3
intricate 4
intrigue 3
inundate 3
inured 2
invective 3
invert 2
invigorate 2
invoke 2
irascible 2
irate 3
jamb 2
jeer 2
jest 2
jocular 2
jovial 2
judicious 2
lackluster 2
laconic 3
lasso 2
latitude 2
laudable 2
laudatory 2
lava 3
lavish 2
leaven 3
lethargic 2
lethargy 2
levee 2
levy 2
libertine 2
ligneous 2

limerick 2
limp 2
linen 2
literal 2
lizard 2
loll 2
loom 3
lope 2
lucid 2
ludicrous 2
lull 2
lumber 2
luminous 2
mace 2
macerate 2
malapropism 2
manifest 2
martial 2
martinet 4
maverick 2
meager 3
meddle 2
mediocre 2
mercenary 2
mercurial 2
metaphysics 3
meticulous 2
mettle 3
mettlesome 2
minuscule 2
misanthrope 2
mistrust 4
mitigate 2
moat 3
mollify 2
mollycoddle 4
molt 2
morose 3
mundane 4
nadir 3
narcotic 2
neuralgia 2
nonchalant 2
nondescript 2
nonplused 2
note 4
notion 2
obdurate 2
obscure 5
obsequious 2
obsolete 3
obtuse 2
obviate 2
obvious 3
occult 2
odious 2
odium 2
ogle 3
ominous 2
onerous 3
opprobrium 2
ostracism 3
outgrowth 2
outmoded 2
outset 2
overhaul 2
overt 3
overture 3
overwrought 2
pan 2
panegyric 2
paragon 2
parasite 2
parquetry 2
pathology 2
paucity 2
pebble 2
peccadillo 3
pedant 3
pedantry 2
pedestrian 2
peer 2
penchant 2
penury 3
peremptory 2
perennial 2
perfidious 2
perfidy 2
perfunctory 2
pernicious 2
perpetuate 3
perplex 2
pertinent 3
pervade 2

petition 2
petulant 3
philanthropist 3
pine 2
piquant 2
pique 2
pitch 3
pith 2
placate 3
placid 2
plaintiff 2
plaintive 2
platitude 2
plea 2
plead 4
plod 3
pluck 3
plumb 3
plummet 2
polemic 2
ponderous 5
posit 2
posture 2
practitioner 3
preamble 2
precarious 2
precedence 2
precious 2
precipitate 2
precipitous 4
preclude 2
predilection 4
predisposition 2
preen 2
premise 2
prerogative 3
prescience 2
presume 2
presumption 3
presumptuous 2
prevaricate 5
pristine 3
probity 2
proclamation 3
proclivity 2
prodigal 2
prodigality 2
prodigious 3
prodigy 6
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profound 2
profundity 2
prolong 2
prompt 2
prone 2
propensity 2
propitiate 4
proposition 2
propriety 2
protracted 2
provocation 2
provocative 2
provoke 2
prudent 2
prune 2
pucker 2
pugnacious 2
pundit 2
pungent 2
putrefy 2
quack 2
quaff 2
qualm 2
quarantine 2
quibble 4
quiver 2
quotidian 2
ramification 2
rampant 2
ranger 2
rash 2
rationale 3
recalcitrant 3
recant 3
recede 2
reciprocal 2
reckless 2
recluse 2
recompense 4
recondite 2
recourse 2
redeem 2
redoubtable 2
refractory 2

reinstate 3
rejoice 2
relapse 2
relegate 2
relent 3
remnant 3
renegade 3
repine 2
repress 2
reprimand 3
reprobate 2
repugnant 2
repulse 2
rescind 2
resent 2
resolve 2
resound 2
restitution 2
retain 3
retard 2
reticent 2
retiring 2
retreat 2
revile 4
rhetoric 2
rift 2
rind 3
ritual 2
rogue 3
roster 2
rung 2
sacred 3
salutary 2
salvation 2
sanctioned 2
sap 2
savor 2
scabbard 3
score 2
scrupulous 2
scrutiny 4
sedative 4
sedentary 2
seemly 2
serenity 2
sever 3
sheath 3
shed 2
shirk 2
shrill 2
shrug-off 2
shuck 2
shunt 2
simper 2
sip 2
skeptical 2
skiff 2
slack 2
sloppy 2
slur 3
smother 2
sober 2
somber 2
sordid 3
specious 3
spell 3
spendthrift 2
spine 2
sporadic 2
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squalid 3
squander 2
squelch 4
stake 2
stark 2
startle 3
steadfast 2
steep 2
stickler 2
stiff 2
stigma 2
stigmatize 2
stint 2
stipulate 3
stockade 2
stoop 2
strain 2
stray 3
striate 2
strove 2
strut 2
subdue 3
suborn 2
subpoena 2

subside 3
substantial 2
supplant 3
supplicate 2
susceptible 2
sway 3
swift 2
swindle 2
syncopated 2
tacit 4
tamp 2
tangential 2
tangible 2
tapestry 2
tarnish 2
taut 3
tenable 4
tentative 2
tepid 4
tirade 2
topple 2
torment 2
torpid 3
tout 3
traitor 3
trample 2
transgress 2
treacherous 4
trenchant 2
trepidation 2
truce 2
truculent 2
turpitude 2
untenable 2
untoward 2
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usurp 2
vacillation 2
vagary 2
vagrant 2
valiant 2
varnish 2
venerable 2
venerate 2
veracious 4
verdant 4
veritable 2
vertigo 2
vestiges 2
vex 2
viable 2
vicious 3
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vituperate 3
volubility 2
voracious 2
vulnerable 3
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wary 2
waver 2
weary 2
welter 2
wheedle 2
wing 3
withhold 2
yarn 2
zealot 2